CN109117100B

CN109117100B - Profile adjustment method and profile adjustment system

Info

Publication number: CN109117100B
Application number: CN201810631002.9A
Authority: CN
Inventors: 山下充裕; 深沢贤二
Original assignee: Seiko Epson Corp
Current assignee: Seiko Epson Corp
Priority date: 2017-06-22
Filing date: 2018-06-19
Publication date: 2023-08-11
Anticipated expiration: 2038-06-19
Also published as: JP2019009555A; US10447894B2; EP3419273B1; EP3419273A1; US20180376030A1; CN109117100A; JP6950297B2

Abstract

The present invention provides a profile adjustment method and a profile adjustment system for improving the convenience of the work of adjusting a profile used in the conversion of coordinate values of a color space. The profile adjustment method adjusts a correspondence between coordinate values of an input color space and coordinate values of an output color space, the profile adjustment method including: a storage step of storing history information indicating adjustment contents of a first table in which the correspondence relation is defined in a first profile in a special tag of the first profile; a reading step of reading the history information from the dedicated tag of the first profile; and a profile adjustment step of using the read history information for at least one of readjustment of the first table and adjustment of a second table in which the correspondence relationship is defined in a second profile.

Description

Profile adjustment method and profile adjustment system

Technical Field

The present invention relates to a technique for adjusting a profile used in conversion of coordinate values in a color space.

Background

When an inkjet printer is used for correction of printing such as offset printing, the required color reproduction accuracy (the degree of correctly reproducing the color) is very high. As a mechanism for realizing this accuracy, there is a color management system using an ICC (International Color Consortium ) profile. The ICC profile is data representing a correspondence relationship between device dependent colors and device independent colors of color devices such as printers (e.g., offset printers) and inkjet printers. The device dependent colors of the printer or the inkjet printer are represented by CMYK values representing the usage amounts of C (cyan), M (magenta), Y (yellow), and K (black), for example. Device independent colors are produced, for example, by CIE (International Commission on illumination) L as a device independent color space (device independent color space) ^* a ^* b ^* Color values of color space (omitted' ^* ", set to Lab values) or CIE XYZ color space.

Here, the ICC profile of the printer is set as an input profile, and the ICC profile of the inkjet printer is set as an output profile. When CMYK values in the printer are set to CMYK according to the input profile (CMYK _t Values) to PCS (Profile Connection Space; profile connection space) can convert the color value (e.g., lab value) into CMYK values (CMYK) of the inkjet printer according to the output profile _p Values). When according to CMYK _p When printing is performed by an inkjet printer, a color similar to the color of the printer can be reproduced by the inkjet printer. In practice, there are cases where a desired color cannot be reproduced due to errors in the profile, color measurement errors, variations in the printer, and the like. In this case, by correcting the ICC profile, conversion accuracy of the object color is improved.

In patent document 1, spot color (spot color) adjustment of a printer characteristic file is disclosed. In the spot color adjustment, a profile used for color matching is stored in a profile storage unit, and a sample correction table is stored in a separate sample correction table storage unit different from the profile storage unit.

However, since the characteristic file storage section and the sampling point correction table storage section are prepared separately, there is a possibility that the characteristic file and the sampling point correction table are erroneously associated. When a profile and a sample correction table are erroneously associated, sometimes the adjustment of the profile cannot be a desired adjustment.

The above-described problems are not limited to the case of adjusting a profile for an inkjet printer, but also the case of adjusting a profile for various color devices.

Patent document 1: japanese patent laid-open No. 2006-174371

Disclosure of Invention

An object of the present invention is to provide a technique for improving the convenience of an operation for adjusting a profile used for conversion of coordinate values in a color space.

In order to achieve one of the above objects, a profile adjustment method of the present invention has a mode of adjusting a correspondence relationship between coordinate values of an input color space and coordinate values of an output color space, the profile adjustment method including: a storage step of storing history information indicating adjustment contents of a first table in which the correspondence relation is defined in a first profile in a special tag of the first profile; a reading step of reading the history information from the dedicated tag of the first profile; and a profile adjustment step of using the read history information for at least one of readjustment of the first table and adjustment of a second table in which the correspondence relationship is defined in a second profile.

In addition, the profile adjustment method of the present invention includes: a reading step of reading, from a storage area, history information indicating adjustment contents at one or more adjustment points corresponding to a color of an adjustment target, for a profile that defines a correspondence relationship between coordinate values of an input color space and coordinate values of an output color space; a specific point specifying step of receiving, as a specific point, an adjustment point at which readjustment is not performed among the one or more adjustment points included in the read history information; and a profile adjustment step of performing readjustment of the profile in such a manner that readjustment is not performed at the specific point.

The present invention also provides a profile adjustment program for causing a computer to realize functions corresponding to the respective steps of the profile adjustment method described above.

The present invention also includes a profile adjustment system including units ("parts") corresponding to the respective steps of the profile adjustment method described above.

The above-described aspect can provide a technique for improving the convenience of the work of adjusting a profile used in the conversion of coordinate values in a color space.

Drawings

Fig. 1 is a block diagram schematically showing a structural example of a profile adjustment system.

Fig. 2 is a diagram schematically showing an example of a color management flow.

Fig. 3 is a diagram schematically showing an example of the relationship of various profiles.

Fig. 4 is a diagram schematically showing a structural example of a profile.

Fig. 5 is a flowchart showing an example of the profile adjustment process.

Fig. 6 is a flowchart showing an example of the profile and parameter setting processing.

Fig. 7 is a diagram schematically showing an example of a user interface screen.

Fig. 8A to 8D are diagrams schematically showing examples of any one of the combination of reception profiles and one profile.

Fig. 9A to 9D are diagrams schematically showing examples of reception of the adjustment target profile.

Fig. 10A to 10C are diagrams schematically showing examples of receiving a color space to be adjusted.

Fig. 11 is a flowchart showing an example of the history information reading process.

Fig. 12 is a flowchart showing an example of history information use processing.

Fig. 13A is a diagram schematically showing an example of the structure of history information stored in a dedicated tab of a profile, fig. 13B is a diagram schematically showing an example of a user interface screen, and fig. 13C is a diagram schematically showing an example of the structure of history information when a table of a profile is returned to before adjustment.

Fig. 14A is a diagram schematically showing an example of a user interface screen, and fig. 14B is a diagram schematically showing an example of a target receiving area when a specific point is designated.

Fig. 15 is a flowchart showing an example of the history information saving process.

Fig. 16A is a diagram schematically showing an example of an input method of receiving an adjustment target, fig. 16B is a diagram schematically showing an example of a UI screen in the case where the adjustment target is received as coordinate values of a color space, and fig. 16C is a diagram schematically showing an example of setting an adjustment point.

Fig. 17 is a diagram schematically showing an example of the pair designation screen.

Fig. 18A is a diagram schematically showing an example in which a third adjustment point is added between the first adjustment point and the second adjustment point to determine an adjustment range based on the third adjustment point, and fig. 18B is a diagram schematically showing an example in which a target of adjustment in the third adjustment point is determined.

Fig. 19A to 19E are diagrams schematically showing examples of calculation of the current output value.

Fig. 20 is a diagram schematically showing an example of a formula for calculating a current output value.

Fig. 21A to 21D are diagrams schematically showing a calculation example of a target output value corresponding to the adjustment target color space.

Fig. 22A to 22C are diagrams schematically showing a calculation example of a target output value corresponding to the adjustment target color space.

Fig. 23 is a diagram schematically showing an example of a formula for calculating the target output value.

Fig. 24A and 24B are diagrams schematically showing examples of obtaining the input value and the adjustment target value of the adjustment target characteristic file.

Fig. 25 is a diagram schematically showing an example of a formula for calculating the input value and the adjustment target value of the adjustment target characteristic file.

Fig. 26A is a diagram schematically showing the adjustment amounts of the respective lattice points in the case of adjustment in the output color space of the adjustment target property file, and fig. 26B is a diagram schematically showing the adjustment amounts of the respective lattice points in the case of adjustment in the input color space of the adjustment target property file.

Fig. 27A is a diagram schematically showing an example of determining the adjustment amount of the output value with respect to the nearest lattice point, and fig. 27B is a diagram schematically showing an example of determining the adjustment amount of the output value with respect to the lattice points around the nearest lattice point.

Fig. 28 is a diagram schematically showing an example of a gradation image.

Fig. 29 is a diagram schematically showing an example of the usage history information in the table of the profile of the different modes.

Fig. 30 is a flowchart showing an example of another history information reading process.

Detailed Description

Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described. Of course, the following embodiments are merely exemplary embodiments of the present invention, and are not limited to the case where all the features shown in the embodiments are necessary for the solving means of the present invention.

(1) Summary of the technology contained in the present invention:

first, an outline of the technology included in the present invention will be described with reference to examples shown in fig. 1 to 30. The drawings of the present invention are schematically illustrating examples, and the magnification in each direction shown in these drawings may be different, and the drawings may not be identical. Of course, the elements of the present technology are not limited to the specific examples represented by symbols.

Mode 1

The profile adjustment method according to one embodiment of the present technology is a profile adjustment method for adjusting a correspondence relation between coordinate values of an input color space CS4 and coordinate values of an output color space CS5, and includes a storage step ST7, a reading step ST1, and a profile adjustment step ST6. In the storage step ST7, history information 700 indicating the adjustment content of the first table 511 in which the correspondence relation is defined in the first profile 501 is stored in the dedicated label 523 of the first profile 501. In the reading step ST1, the history information 700 is read from the dedicated tag 523 of the first profile 501. In the profile adjustment step ST6, the read history information 700 is used for at least one of readjustment of the first table 511 and adjustment of a second table 512 in which the correspondence relationship is defined in the second profile 502.

In the above-described embodiment 1, since the history information 700 is stored in the dedicated tag 523 of the profile, the relationship between the table of the adjustment object and the history information 700 is maintained. In the case of readjusting the table of the profile, an undesired color change is suppressed, so that the rework of the adjustment work due to an operation error can be suppressed. In the case of adjusting another table, the adjustment work can be saved. Therefore, the present embodiment can provide a profile adjustment method that improves the convenience of the work of adjusting a profile used in the conversion of the coordinate values of the color space.

Here, the input color space includes CMYK color space, CMY color space, RGB color space, CIE Lab color space, CIE XYZ color space, and the like. R is red, G is green, and B is blue.

Also included in the output color space are CMYK color space, CMY color space, RGB color space, CIE Lab color space, CIE XYZ color space, and the like.

The reading of the history information from the dedicated tag may be either the reading of the entire profile including the table or the reading of the history information limited to the profile.

The following description of embodiment 1 will be given in detail.

Mode 2

As illustrated in fig. 11, 14A, and 14B, the history information 700 may also indicate the adjustment contents (e.g., the target T0 and the adjustment range A0) at one or more adjustment points P0 corresponding to the color of the adjustment object. The present profile adjustment method may accept, as the specific point SP, an adjustment point P0 that is not readjusted among the one or more adjustment points P0 included in the history information 700 read in the reading step ST 1. In the profile adjustment step ST6, the readjustment of the first table 511 may be performed so that the readjustment is not performed at the specific point SP.

In the above-described embodiment 2, the user can set the specific point SP that is not to be readjusted among the one or more adjustment points P0 included in the read history information 700. Therefore, the present embodiment can provide a technique that further improves the convenience of the task of readjusting the profile.

Although not included in the above embodiment 2, the present technology is also included in the case where the specific point is not accepted.

Mode 3

As illustrated in fig. 11 and 12, when the second table 512 is adjusted in the profile adjustment step ST6, the specific point SP may not be received in the specific point specification step ST 2. In the case where the history information 700 of the first table 511 of the first profile 501 is used in the adjustment of the second table 512 of the second profile 502, the degree of adjustment in the adjustment point P0 may sometimes be changed by the first table 511 and the second table 512. Therefore, the present embodiment can provide a technique for suppressing the rework of work in the case of adjusting a profile.

Mode 4

As illustrated in fig. 6 and 7, the present profile adjustment method may further include an adjustment point receiving step ST3, wherein the adjustment point receiving step ST3 receives the correction of the adjustment content at the adjustment point P0 included in the history information 700 read in the reading step ST1, the addition of the adjustment point P0 corresponding to the new adjustment target color, and the setting of the adjustment content at the added adjustment point P0. In the profile adjustment step ST6, at least one of readjustment of the first table 511 and adjustment of the second table 512 may be performed based on the adjustment point P0 included in the read history information 700 and the adjustment content at the additional adjustment point P0. In this embodiment, since the adjustment content at the adjustment point P0 included in the history information 700 can be corrected and a new adjustment point P0 can be added, a technique can be provided in which the convenience of the adjustment work for the profile is further improved.

Mode 5

As illustrated in fig. 13A, the history information 700 may include a plurality of items (for example, items (a) to (H)). As illustrated in fig. 15, etc., in the storing step ST7, a designation of an item to be stored among the plurality of items may be received, and the item for which the designation is received may be stored in the dedicated tag 523. Since the present embodiment can specify an item to be stored in the dedicated tag 523 among a plurality of items of the history information 700, it is possible to provide a technique for realizing a reduction in the size of the history information 700 and further improving the convenience of the work of adjusting the profile.

Mode 6

As illustrated in fig. 13A, the history information 700 may include one or more items in the following items (a) to (H).

(A) Coordinates of an adjustment point P0 corresponding to the color direction of the adjustment object,

(B) An adjusted target T0 at the adjustment point P0,

(C) Whether or not the table of the adjustment object is a link profile (630) that corresponds a first coordinate value (e.g., CMYK value) of a first color space CS1 (e.g., CMYK color space) to a second coordinate value (e.g., CMYK value) of a second color space CS2 (e.g., CMYK color space), an input profile 610 that corresponds the first coordinate value to a third coordinate value (e.g., lab value) of a profile connection space CS3 (e.g., lab color space), and information of a table of any one of output profiles 620 that corresponds the third coordinate value to the second coordinate value,

(D) An adjustment range A0 based on the adjustment point P0,

(E) A combination of the first and second coordinates for setting a third adjustment point Q of a third coordinate according to a first adjustment point P1 of the first coordinate and a second adjustment point P2 of the second coordinate,

(F) A file name of a third profile combined with the first profile 501 in the conversion from the first coordinate value to the second coordinate value,

(G) Update time of the third profile, and

(H) The original table before the adjustment of the first table 511.

The above-described embodiment 6 can provide a technique for further improving the convenience of the work of adjusting the profile.

Here, the coordinates (first, second, and third coordinates) of the adjustment points (first, second, and third adjustment points) may be the coordinates of the input color space, the coordinates of the output color space, or the coordinates of a color space different from the input color space and the output color space. The plurality of second adjustment points may be set with respect to the first adjustment points, or the plurality of first adjustment points may be set with respect to the second adjustment points.

The target of adjustment may be represented by either a coordinate value of the color space or a difference from the current coordinate value of the color space.

The following description is also given for the additional description of the above embodiment 6.

Mode 7

As illustrated in fig. 15, the present profile adjustment method may further include a linking step ST8 of storing an update time of a third profile combined with the first profile 501 in the dedicated tag 523 of the first profile 501 in a conversion from a first coordinate value (e.g., CMYK value) of a first color space CS1 (e.g., CMYK color space) to a second coordinate value (e.g., CMYK value) of a second color space CS2 (e.g., CMYK color space) in the linking step ST 8. As illustrated in fig. 30, in the profile adjustment step ST6, when the update time stored in the dedicated tag of the profile combined with the third profile is different from the update time of the third profile, the read history information 700 may not be used for the readjustment of the first table 511. In such a case, the read profile may not be combined with the third profile. Therefore, the present embodiment can provide a technique for suppressing the rework of work in the case of adjusting a profile.

In the embodiments described below, when the second color space is a CMYK color space, the second color space is denoted as CMYK color space in order to distinguish it from the CMYK color space of the first color space.

Mode 8

As illustrated in fig. 13A, the history information 700 may include an original table before the first table 511 is adjusted. As illustrated in fig. 11, etc., in the reading step ST1, a cancel instruction for returning the first table 511 to the original table may be received. In this profile adjustment step ST6, when the cancel instruction is received, the first table 511 may be returned to the original table. Since the adjustment of the first table 511 is easy to be performed again in this embodiment, a technique can be provided in which the convenience of the work for adjusting the profile is further improved.

Mode 9

As illustrated in fig. 13A and the like, the history information 700 may also include coordinates of the adjustment point P0 corresponding to the color of the adjustment object. As illustrated in fig. 6 and 7, the present profile adjustment method may further include an adjustment point receiving step ST3, wherein the adjustment point receiving step ST3 receives a correction of the adjustment content at the adjustment point P0 included in the history information 700 read in the reading step ST 1. In the profile adjustment step ST6, the second table 512 may be adjusted based on the adjustment content at the adjustment point P0 included in the read history information 700. Since the adjustment point P0 of the second table 512 is easily set in this embodiment, a technique can be provided in which the convenience of the adjustment work for the profile is further improved.

Mode 10

As illustrated in fig. 13A and the like, the history information 700 may include an adjustment range A0 having an adjustment point P0 corresponding to the color of the adjustment target as a base point. In the profile adjustment step ST6, the second table 512 may be adjusted within the adjustment range A0 when the second table 512 is adjusted. Since the adjustment range A0 of the second table 512 is easily set in this embodiment, a technique can be provided in which the convenience of the adjustment work for the profile is further improved.

Mode 11

The history information 700 may also include a first adjustment point P1 of a first coordinate, a second adjustment point P2 of a second coordinate, first adjustment data (e.g., a first target T1 and a first adjustment range A1) indicating a degree of adjustment at the first adjustment point P1, and second adjustment data (e.g., a second target T2 and a second adjustment range A2) indicating a degree of adjustment at the second adjustment point P2. As illustrated in fig. 6, 18A, 18B, and the like, the present profile adjustment method may further include an adjustment point adding step ST4 of setting the third adjustment point Q of the third coordinate based on the first coordinate and the second coordinate. In addition, the present profile adjustment method may further include an adjustment data generation step ST5, wherein in the adjustment data generation step ST5, third adjustment data (for example, a third target T3 and a third adjustment range A3) indicating the degree of adjustment at the third adjustment point Q is generated based on the first adjustment data and the second adjustment data. In the profile adjustment step ST6, the second table 512 may be adjusted based on the first adjustment data, the second adjustment data, and the third adjustment data.

In the above-described embodiment 11, if the first adjustment point P1 of the first coordinate and the second adjustment point P2 of the second coordinate are included in the history information 700, the third adjustment point Q of the third coordinate is automatically set, and third adjustment data indicating the degree of adjustment in the third adjustment point Q is generated, and the third adjustment data is also used for adjustment in the second table 512 of the second profile 502. Accordingly, the present embodiment can provide a technique for easily improving the gradation characteristics of the output image with reference to the second profile.

Here, the adjustment data (first adjustment data, second adjustment data, and third adjustment data) includes a target of adjustment in the adjustment point, an adjustment range based on the adjustment point, and the like.

Mode 12

The first profile 501 may be any one of a link profile (e.g., a device link profile 630) in which a first coordinate value (e.g., CMYK values) of a first color space CS1 (e.g., CMYK color space) corresponds to a second coordinate value (e.g., CMYK values) of a second color space CS2 (e.g., CMYK color space), an input profile 610 in which the first coordinate value corresponds to a third coordinate value (e.g., lab values) of a profile connection space CS3 (e.g., lab color space), and an output profile 620 in which the third coordinate value corresponds to the second coordinate value. The second profile 502 may be any one of the link profile (630), the input profile 610, and the output profile 620. The present embodiment can provide a preferable technique for improving the convenience of the work for adjusting the profile.

Mode 13

The profile adjustment method according to another aspect of the present technology includes a reading step ST1, a specific point specifying step ST2, and a profile adjustment step ST6. In the reading step ST1, the history information 700 indicating the adjustment content at one or more adjustment points P0 corresponding to the color of the adjustment target is read from the storage area (for example, the dedicated label 523) for the profile 500 defining the correspondence relation between the coordinate values of the input color space CS4 and the coordinate values of the output color space CS 5. In the specific point specification step ST2, an adjustment point P0, which is not subjected to readjustment, among the one or more adjustment points P0 included in the read history information 700 is received as a specific point SP. In the profile adjustment step ST6, the readjustment of the profile 500 is performed so that the readjustment is not performed at the specific point SP.

In the above-described mode 13, the user can set the specific point SP at which readjustment is not performed, among the one or more adjustment points P0 included in the read history information 700. Therefore, the present embodiment can provide a profile adjustment method that further improves the convenience of the work of adjusting the profile used in the conversion of the coordinate values of the color space.

Mode 14

The profile adjustment program PR0 according to one embodiment of the present technology can cause a computer to realize the functions corresponding to the respective steps of embodiment 1, that is, the storage function FU7 corresponding to the storage step ST7, the reading function FU1 corresponding to the reading step ST1, and the profile adjustment function FU6 corresponding to the profile adjustment step ST 6. The present embodiment can provide a profile adjustment program that improves the convenience of the task of adjusting a profile used in the conversion of coordinate values in a color space. The present profile adjustment program PR0 may cause a computer to realize the specific point specification function FU2 corresponding to the specific point specification step ST2, the adjustment point reception function FU3 corresponding to the adjustment point reception step ST3, the linking function FU8 corresponding to the linking step ST8, the adjustment point addition function FU4 corresponding to the adjustment point addition step ST4, and the adjustment data generation function FU5 corresponding to the adjustment data generation step ST 5.

Mode 15

Further, the profile adjustment program PR0 according to another embodiment of the present technology causes a computer to realize the functions corresponding to the respective steps of embodiment 13, that is, the reading function FU1 corresponding to the reading step ST1, the specific point specification function FU2 corresponding to the specific point specification step ST2, and the profile adjustment function FU6 corresponding to the profile adjustment step ST 6. The present embodiment can provide a profile adjustment program that improves the convenience of the task of adjusting a profile used in the conversion of coordinate values in a color space.

Mode 16

The profile adjustment system (e.g., host device 100) according to one embodiment of the present technology includes a storage unit U7 corresponding to each step of embodiment 1, that is, a storage unit U7 corresponding to the storage step ST7, a reading unit U1 corresponding to the reading step ST1, and a profile adjustment unit U6 corresponding to the profile adjustment step ST 6. The present embodiment can provide a profile adjustment system that improves the convenience of the task of adjusting a profile used in the conversion of coordinate values in a color space. The present profile adjustment system may include a specific point specification unit U2 corresponding to the specific point specification step ST2, an adjustment point reception unit U3 corresponding to the adjustment point reception step ST3, a link unit U8 corresponding to the link step ST8, an adjustment point addition unit U4 corresponding to the adjustment point addition step ST4, and an adjustment data generation unit U5 corresponding to the adjustment data generation step ST 5.

Mode 17

The profile adjustment system (e.g., host device 100) according to another embodiment of the present technology includes a unit corresponding to each step of embodiment 13, that is, a reading unit U1 corresponding to the reading step ST1, a specific point specification unit U2 corresponding to the specific point specification step ST2, and a profile adjustment unit U6 corresponding to the profile adjustment step ST 6. The present embodiment can provide a profile adjustment system that improves the convenience of the task of adjusting a profile used in the conversion of coordinate values in a color space.

Moreover, the present technology can also be applied to a control method of a profile adjustment system, a composite system including the profile adjustment system, a control method of the composite system, a control program of the profile adjustment system, a control program of the composite system, a profile adjustment program, a computer-readable medium having recorded the control program, or the like. The aforementioned means may also be constituted by a plurality of discrete parts.

(2) Specific examples of structures of the profile adjustment system:

a host apparatus 100 is schematically shown in fig. 1 as a structural example of a profile adjustment system. The host device 100 can input and output information to and from a CPU (Central Processing Unit ) 111, a ROM (Read Only Memory) 112, a RAM (Random Access Memory) 113, a storage device 114, a display device 115, an input device 116, a color measurement device 117, a communication I/F (interface) 118, and the like by connecting them.

The storage device 114 stores an OS (operating system), a profile adjustment program PR0, and the like, which are not shown. These systems and programs are appropriately read by the RAM113 and used in the adjustment process of the profile 500. Here, profile 500 is a generic term for input profile 610, output profile 620, and device link profile 630. In this particular example, the first profile 501 and the second profile 502 are selected from these profiles 610, 620, 630. In at least one of the RAM113 and the storage 114, various information such as an input profile 610, an output profile 620, a device link profile 630, and adjusted history information 700 are stored. As the storage device 114, a nonvolatile semiconductor memory such as a flash memory, a magnetic storage device such as a hard disk, or the like can be used.

As the display device 115, a liquid crystal display panel or the like can be used. As the input device 116, a pointing device, hard keys including a keyboard, a touch panel attached to the surface of a display panel, or the like can be used. The color measurement device 117 can perform color measurement on each color patch formed on a print substrate (print substrate) as an example of a medium on which a color chart is formed, and output a color measurement value. The color scale is also called a color chart. The color measurement value is set to a value indicating the luminance L and chromaticity coordinates a, b in the CIE Lab color space, for example. The color measurement device 117 may also be provided outside the host device 100. The host device 100 acquires color measurement data including a plurality of color measurement values from the color measurement device 117 and performs various processes. The communication I/F118 is connected to the communication I/F210 of the printer 200, and inputs and outputs information such as print data to and from the printer 200. As the standard of the communication I/fs 118 and 210, USB (Universal Serial Bus ), a short-range wireless communication standard, and the like can be used. The communication I/F118, 210 may be wired, wireless, or network communication such as LAN (Local Area Network ) or the internet.

The profile adjustment program PR0 shown in fig. 1 causes the host device 100 to realize a reading function FU1, a specific point specifying function FU2, an adjustment point receiving function FU3, an adjustment point adding function FU4, an adjustment data generating function FU5, a profile adjusting function FU6, a storing function FU7, and a linking function FU8.

The host device 100 includes a computer such as a personal computer (including a tablet terminal). The host device 100 may have all the components 111 to 118 in one housing, but may be configured by a plurality of devices that are divided so as to be communicable with each other. In addition, the present technology can be implemented even if the printer is located in the host device 100.

The printer 200 shown in fig. 1 is an inkjet printer that ejects (ejects) C (cyan) ink, M (magenta) ink, Y (yellow) ink, and K (black) ink as color materials from the recording head 220, thereby forming an output image IM0 corresponding to print data. The recording head 220 supplies CMYK (cyan, magenta, yellow, and black) inks from the ink cartridges Cc, cm, cy, ck, and ejects CMYK ink droplets 280 from the nozzles Nc, nm, ny, nk, respectively. When the ink droplets 280 are ejected onto the printing object ME1, ink dots are formed on the printing object ME 1. As a result, a print product having the output image IM0 on the print product ME1 can be obtained.

(3) Specific examples of color management systems:

next, with reference to fig. 2, an example of a color management system to which the present technology can be applied will be described.

The color management system shown in fig. 2 converts the printing original data D0 into a representation of a printing color cmyk by the RIP (Raster Image Processor ) 400 _p (cyan, magenta, yellow, and black), thereby causing the inkjet printer 200 to form a print. The printing original data D0 indicates a color (target color C) set as a target for reproduction by ink (color material) of CMYK of the target printer 300 as an example of a target device for color matching _t ) CMYK (color CMYK) processing color _in . In the printing original data D0, a color name of a color library may be specified. As the color library, for example, a Pantone (registered trademark) color library or the like can be used.

The target printing machine 300 is an offset printing machine, and may be a gravure printing machine, a flexographic printing machine, or the like. Target color C _t For example, the CIE Lab color space coordinate values (Lab values). In fig. 2, a case is shown in which the target printer 300 prints the target color C on the object to be printed _t The color measurement device performs color measurement on each color mark of the color chart to obtain a color measurement value Lab _t Is the case in (a). Processing color CMYK _in Corresponds to the amount of use of CMYK inks used in the target printer 300, and represents coordinates of CMYK color spaces subordinate to the target printer 300.

RIP400 has an input profile 610, an output profile 620, and a color library 640. The input characteristics file 610 is a file describing color characteristics of ink used in the target printer 300. The output characteristics file 620 is a file describing color characteristics of ink used in the inkjet printer 200. Regarding the two profiles 610, 620, for example, the data format of the ICC profile can be used. Processing color CMYK of printing original data D0 _in Color Lab converted into Lab color space according to input profile 610 _s And converted into a print color cmyk according to the output profile 620 _p . In the case where the printer 200 uses ink of four colors in total of CMYK, the printing color CMYK _p Is output to the printer 200 and reproduced on the printed matter. In fig. 2, a case is shown in which the printer 200 prints a print color cmyk on a print target object _p The color measurement device performs color measurement on each color patch of the color chart to obtain a color measurement value Lab _p Is the case in (a). In the case where the printer 200 also uses inks of Lc (light blue-green), lm (light magenta), dy (dark yellow), lk (light black), or the like, the RIP400 or the printer 200 prints the color cmyk _p The printer 200 is capable of dividing the print color cmyk into dark and light colors _p Reproduced on the printed matter. Of course, the print color itself is not limited to four colors in total of CMYK.

In addition, in the case where the color name is set in the print document data D0, the RIP400 can refer to the color library 640 to convert the color name into a color of the Lab color spaceLab _s 。

Also, RIP400 has an input profile for a color other than CMYK for processing _in A process Color (CMY) representing the amount of use of color materials of three primary colors CMY to be mixed only by the subtractive color method _in ) The process color (RGB) representing the intensities of three primary colors R (red), G (green) and B (blue) that are additive color mixtures _in ) And converting coordinate values of the constant and Lab color space. Thus, RIP400 is also capable of handling color CMY _in Processing color RGB _in Etc. to a print color cmyk via Lab color space _p . In addition, the RIP400 can also input the color Lab of the Lab color space _s And converted into a printing color cmyk _p 。

According to the above manner, the color close to the color of the target printer 300 can be reproduced by the inkjet printer 200. However, in reality, a desired color may not be reproduced due to an error of a profile, a color measurement error, a variation of a printer, or the like. In this case, the conversion accuracy of the object color is improved by correcting the profile 610, 620. In the case of correcting the output profile 620, it is conceivable to consider Lab in PCS (profile connection space) _s The value is set as a target value, and a result of color measurement of the color printed in the printer 200 (Lab _p ) As the current value, the color difference between the two is calculated, and the output characteristic file 620 is corrected so that the color difference becomes smaller. In addition, in the case of correcting the input profile 610, it is conceivable that the data of the color chart is converted and printed by using the input profile 610 and the output profile 620, and the color measurement results (Lab _p ) And a target color value (Lab _t ) Calculates the chromatic aberration of (c) and corrects the input profile 610 so as to reduce the chromatic aberration.

However, the desired color may not be obtained or may be time-consuming for the following reasons.

The reason 1 is that since the color measurement is required for the result of printing, a measuring instrument is required, and the color matching under the visual observation cannot be performed.

Reason 2. When the input profile 610 is corrected, the result of the calculation of the chromatic aberration is fed back to the input profile 610. However, if the cause of the error is considered to be the output profile 620, it is necessary to correct the other input profile. (in this case, the output characteristics file 620 is corrected by feeding back the calculation result to the output characteristics file 620, so that correction of other output characteristics files is not required.)

The reason 3 is that, because it is assumed that the history information of the adjustment is stored in the server separately from the profile, when the association between the profile and the history information is erroneously used, the desired adjustment may not be performed.

The reason 4 is that since history information is managed for each color, even when a plurality of points are uniformly adjusted, adjustment contents need to be instructed for each color, and the operation is complicated.

In this specific example, the functions FU1 to FU8 realized by the profile adjustment program PR0 improve the convenience of the work of adjusting the profile used in the conversion of the coordinate values of the color space, and further realize higher color reproduction accuracy, gradation characteristics.

(4) Specific examples of property files:

fig. 3 schematically illustrates the relationship of the profiles 610, 620, 630.

As shown in fig. 3, the input profile 610 is a CMYK value (C) for a CMYK color space (an example of the first color space CS 1) that matches the use ink of the target printer 300 _i ，M _i ，Y _i ，K _i ) Lab value (L) with Lab color space (example of PCS (Profile connection space) CS 3) _i ，a _i ，b _i ) The correspondence relationship between them is defined. In this case, the grid point GD1 of the A2B table is generally large in the CMYK color space in the C-axis direction, M-axis direction, Y-axis direction, and K-axis directionAre arranged in an equally spaced manner. The variable i here is a variable for identifying the lattice point GD1 set in the CMYK color space (CS 1). CMYK values are examples of the first coordinate values. Lab value is an example of the third coordinate value. In the input profile 610, CMYK color space (CS 1) is an example of an input color space CS4, and Lab color space (CS 3) is an example of an output color space CS 5.

The output profile 620 is a Lab value (L) for Lab color space (CS 3) _j ，a _j ，b _j ) And a cmyk value (c) of a cmyk color space (an example of the second color space CS 2) compatible with the use of ink of the inkjet printer 200 _j ，m _j ，y _j ，k _j ) The correspondence relationship between them is defined. The lattice points GD2 of the B2A table at this time are generally arranged at substantially equal intervals in the Lab color space in the L-axis direction, the a-axis direction, and the B-axis direction. The variable j here is a variable for identifying the lattice point GD2 set in the Lab color space (CS 3). The expression "cmyk color space" is to distinguish a color space that matches the ink used by the printer 200 from a color space that matches the target printer 300. The cmyk value is an example of the second coordinate value. In the output profile 620, lab color space (CS 3) is an example of the input color space CS4, and cmyk color space (CS 2) is an example of the output color space CS 5.

The device link profile 630 is a CMYK value (C) for CMYK color space (CS 1) _i ，M _i ，Y _i ，K _i ) And cmyk values (c) of cmyk color space (CS 2) _i ，m _i ，y _i ，k _i ) The correspondence relationship between them is defined. The variable i here is a variable for identifying the lattice point GD1 set in the CMYK color space (CS 1). The device link profile 630 is obtained by combining the input profile 610 and the output profile 620. In the input profile 610, CMYK color space (CS 1) is an example of an input color space CS4, and CMYK color space (CS 2) is an example of an output color space CS 5.

Fig. 4 schematically illustrates the structure of a profile 500. Profile 500 is a generic term for first profile 501 and second profile 502. The profile 500 shown in fig. 4 is an ICC profile and includes a profile header 515 and a tag table 520. The profile 500 includes a tag 521, which is information necessary for converting color information between the PCS and the device dependent color space (device dependent color space). Among the tags 521, dedicated tags 523, 524, … … (examples of storage areas) for customizing the profile 500 may be included. In this specific example, description is made as an example in which the history information 700 is stored in the dedicated tag 523.

An A2Bx tag (x is 0, 1, or 2 shown in fig. 4) for a device (300, 200) includes, as element data 530, a color conversion table 510, which is a LUT (look-up table) for converting from a device dependent color space (CMYK color space ) to a Lab color space. The color conversion table 510 is a generic name of a first table 511 and a second table 512. The B2Ax tag for the device (300, 200) includes, as the element data 530, a color conversion table 510 for converting from the Lab color space to the device dependent color space (CMYK color space ).

The A2B0 label and the B2A0 label shown in fig. 4 are information for performing a perceived (acceptable) color conversion. Perceptual color conversion is mainly used for converting photographic images having a wide color gamut because of importance attached to gradation reproduction. The A2B1 label and the B2A1 label shown in fig. 4 are information for color conversion of relative chromaticity (Media-Relative Colorimetric) or color conversion of absolute chromaticity (Absolute Colorimetric). The color conversion of chromaticity is faithful to the color measurement value, and is mainly used for conversion for color correction output requiring digital verification of correct color agreement. The A2B2 label and the B2A2 label shown in fig. 4 are information for performing color conversion of color Saturation (Saturation). Color conversion of color saturation is mainly used for conversion of graph display and the like in commercial graphics because the vividness of color is emphasized more than the accuracy of chromaticity.

(5) Specific examples of the profile adjustment process implemented in the profile adjustment system:

fig. 5 shows an example of the profile adjustment process implemented in the host apparatus 100 shown in fig. 1. Fig. 6 shows an example of the profile and parameter setting processing performed in step S102 in fig. 5. Of course, these processes can be appropriately changed by the exchange order or the like. Fig. 7 shows an example of the UI (user interface) screen 800 displayed in step S202 of fig. 6. The host device 100 performs a plurality of processes in parallel by multiplexing. Here, step S214 in fig. 6 corresponds to the reading step ST1, the specific point specification step ST2, the reading function FU1, the specific point specification function FU2, the reading unit U1, and the specific point specification unit U2. Steps S215 and S216 in fig. 6 correspond to the adjustment point receiving step ST3, the adjustment point receiving function FU3, and the adjustment point receiving unit U3. Step S218 in fig. 6 corresponds to the storage step ST7, the linking step ST8, the storage function FU7, the linking function FU8, the storage unit U7, and the linking unit U8. Step S220 in fig. 6 corresponds to the adjustment point adding step ST4, the adjustment point adding function FU4, and the adjustment point adding unit U4. Steps S222 and S224 in fig. 6 correspond to the adjustment data generation step ST5, the adjustment data generation function FU5, and the adjustment data generation unit U5. Steps S104 to S120 in fig. 5 correspond to the profile adjustment step ST6, the profile adjustment function FU6, and the profile adjustment unit U6. Hereinafter, the load of "step" is omitted.

When the profile adjustment process shown in fig. 5 is started, the host device 100 executes the profile and parameter setting process shown in fig. 6 (S102). When the profile and parameter setting process is started, the host device 100 displays the UI screen 800 shown in fig. 7 on the display device 115 (S202 of fig. 6). The UI screen 800 includes an input profile selection field 811, an output profile selection field 812, a device link profile selection field 813, an adjustment object profile specification field 820, an adjustment object color space selection field 830, a target reception area 840, a "designation by image" button 841, an add button 842, a delete button 843, an adjustment data selection field 845, an adjustment range specification field 850, an intention specification field 860, an adjustment implementation button 870, a history loading button 881, and a history save button 882.

The host device 100 receives the operation of the column and the button via the input device 116 (S210), and when receiving the operation of the adjustment execution button 870, ends the profile and the parameter setting process. The processing of S210 includes the following processing S211 to S218.

(S211) processing for receiving a selection of one of a combination of profiles used for conversion from CMYK values to CMYK values and one of profiles used as adjustment target profile 550 for conversion from CMYK values to CMYK values.

(S212) processing of receiving any one of the profile 610, 620, 630 as the adjustment target profile 550.

(S213) processing of accepting any one color space from two or more color spaces among the CMYK color space (CS 1), the CMYK color space (CS 2), and the Lab color space (CS 3) as the adjustment target color space CS 6.

(S214) a process of reading history information 700 representing the adjustment content of the LUT (510) from the dedicated tag 523 of the adjustment object profile 550 (contained in the profile 500).

(S215) processing of receiving an input of the target T0 representing adjustment at the coordinates of the adjustment point P0 (an example of the color of the adjustment target).

(S216) processing of accepting designation of an adjustment range to be adjusted in the CMYK color space (CS 1) according to the target T0 in the adjustment target profile 550.

(S217) a process of accepting any one reproduction intention as a specified intention from among a plurality of reproduction intents for defining the correspondence relation of the adjustment target property file 550.

(S218) a process of storing the history information 700 in the dedicated tag 523 of the profile 500.

First, the process of S211 will be described with reference to fig. 7, 8A to 8D, and 19A to 19E. Here, in fig. 19A to 19E, elements surrounded by thick lines represent adjustment target characteristics file 550. In the device link profile 630 shown in fig. 19C, the adjustment object is a device link table, "original A2B" represents an original input profile, and "original B2A" represents an output profile.

The host device 100 receives an operation on the selection fields 811 to 813 through the input device 116, and receives a selection operation of a profile from the profiles 500 stored in the storage device 114.

In the input profile selection field 811, when the input profile 610 is used for color conversion, the input profile used for color conversion can be selected from the input profiles 610 stored in the storage 114. In the case where the input profile 610 is not used for color conversion, the input profile selection field 811 may be set to a blank field.

In the output profile selection field 812, when the output profile 620 is used for color conversion, the output profile used for color conversion can be selected from among the output profiles 620 stored in the storage 114. In the case where the output profile 620 is not used for color conversion, the output profile selection field 812 may be set to a blank field.

In the device link profile selection field 813, in the case where the device link profile 630 is used in color conversion, the device link profile used in color conversion can be selected from the device link profiles 630 stored in the storage device 114. In the case where the device link profile 630 is not used for color conversion, the device link profile selection field 813 may be set to be blank.

When the input profile 610 is selected only in the input profile selection field 811 as shown in fig. 8A, only the input profile 610 is used for color conversion as shown in fig. 19A, and the input profile 610 automatically becomes the adjustment target profile 550. In this case, CMYK values are applied to the first coordinate values, and Lab values are applied to the second coordinate values.

When the output profile 620 is selected only in the output profile selection field 812 as shown in fig. 8B, the output profile 620 is used for color conversion as shown in fig. 19B, and the output profile 620 automatically becomes the adjustment target profile 550. In this case, the Lab value is applied to the first coordinate value, and the cmyk value is applied to the second coordinate value.

When the device link profile 630 is selected only in the device link profile selection field 813 as shown in fig. 8C, the device link profile 630 is used for color conversion as shown in fig. 19C, and the device link profile 630 (specifically, an internal device link table) automatically becomes the adjustment target profile 550. In this case, CMYK values are applied to the first coordinate values, and CMYK values are applied to the second coordinate values.

In the case where the input profile 610 is selected in the input profile selection field 811 and the output profile 620 is selected in the output profile selection field 812 as shown in fig. 8D, the input profile 610 and the output profile 620 are combined for use in color conversion as shown in fig. 19D, 19E. In this case, CMYK values are applied to the first coordinate values, and CMYK values are applied to the second coordinate values.

From the above, in the selection fields 811 to 813, either one of the combination of the profile used in the color conversion and one of the profiles as the adjustment target profile 550 used in the color conversion is selected.

Next, the process of S212 will be described with reference to fig. 7, 9A to 9D, and the like.

The host device 100 performs a process of changing the designated item of the adjustment target property file designation field 820 in accordance with the selection in the selection fields 811 to 813 described above.

When the input profile 610 is selected only in the input profile selection field 811 as shown in fig. 8A, only the input profile 610 can be specified as the adjustment target in the adjustment target profile specification field 820 as shown in fig. 9A.

When the output profile 620 is selected only in the output profile selection field 812 as shown in fig. 8B, only the output profile 620 can be specified as the adjustment target in the adjustment target profile specification field 820 as shown in fig. 9B.

When the device link profile 630 is selected only in the device link profile selection field 813 as shown in fig. 8C, only the device link profile 630 can be specified as an adjustment object in the adjustment object profile specification field 820 as shown in fig. 9C.

When the input profile 610 is selected in the input profile selection field 811 and the output profile 620 is selected in the output profile selection field 812 as shown in fig. 8D, any one of the plurality of specified items can be selected in the adjustment target profile specification field 820 as shown in fig. 9D. Among the plurality of specified items are an input profile 610, an output profile 620, and a device link profile 630. In fig. 9D, a case of selecting the input profile 610 is shown. This case corresponds to "(b-1) shown in fig. 19D, where the input/output characteristics are combined and the input characteristics are specified. When the output profile 620 is selected in the adjustment target profile specification field 820, the input/output profiles are combined and the output profiles are specified, corresponding to "(b-2) shown in fig. 19E. When the device link profile 630 is selected in the adjustment target profile specification field 820, the device link profile is selected corresponding to "(a-3) shown in fig. 19C.

In the above, when the combination of the input profile 610 and the output profile 620 is selected, any one of the profiles 610, 620, 630 is designated as the adjustment target profile 550 in the adjustment target profile designation field 820.

In addition, in the adjustment target profile specification field 820, any one of the input profile 610, the output profile 620, and the device link profile 630 may be selected as the adjustment target, and the validity or invalidity of the operation performed on the selection fields 811 to 813 may be controlled according to the selection.

The process of S213 will be described with reference to fig. 7, 10A to 10C, and the like.

The host device 100 performs a process of changing the selection item of the adjustment target color space selection field 830 in accordance with the selection in the selection fields 811 to 813 described above.

When the input profile 610 is selected only in the input profile selection field 811 as shown in fig. 8A, one of a plurality of selection items can be designated in the adjustment target color space selection field 830 as shown in fig. 10A. Among the plurality of selection items at this time, the "input data" and the "PCS value" are included. The "input data" is an item selected by using the CMYK color spaces (examples of the first color space CS1 and the input color space CS 4) as the adjustment target color space CS6 (see fig. 21A). The "PCS value" is an item selected from the Lab color space (an example of the profile connection space CS3 and the output color space CS 5) as the adjustment target color space CS6 (see fig. 21B).

When the output profile 620 is selected only in the output profile selection field 812 as shown in fig. 8B, one of a plurality of selection items can be designated in the adjustment target color space selection field 830 as shown in fig. 10B. The plurality of selection items at this time include "PCS value" and "output data". The "PCS value" is an item to be selected as the adjustment target color space CS6 (see fig. 21C) using the Lab color space (an example of the profile connection space CS3 and the input color space CS 4). The "output data" is an item to select the cmyk color space (examples of the second color space CS2 and the output color space CS 5) as the adjustment target color space CS6 (see fig. 21D).

When the input profile 610 is selected in the input profile selection field 811 and the output profile 620 is selected in the output profile selection field 812 as shown in fig. 8D, any one of the plurality of selection items can be designated in the adjustment target color space selection field 830 as shown in fig. 10C. Among the plurality of selection items at this time, there are included "input data", "output data", and "PCS value". The "input data" is an item for selecting a CMYK color space (an example of the first color space CS1 and the input color space CS4 in the input profile 610) as the adjustment target color space CS6 (see fig. 22A). The "output data" is an item that selects the cmyk color space (the second color space CS2, and an example of the output color space CS5 in the output property file 620) as the adjustment target color space CS6 (see fig. 22B). The "PCS value" is an item to select the Lab color space (an example of the profile connection space CS3, the output color space CS5 in the input profile 610, and the input color space CS4 in the output profile 620) as the adjustment target color space CS6 (see fig. 22C).

In the case where the device link profile 630 is selected only in the device link profile selection field 813 as shown in fig. 8C, any one of "input data", "output data", and "PCS value" can be specified in the adjustment target color space selection field 830 as shown in fig. 10C.

As described above, any one of two or more color spaces among the CMYK color space (CS 1), the CMYK color space (CS 2), and the Lab color space (CS 3) is selected as the adjustment target color space CS 6.

The process of S214 will be described with reference to fig. 4, 7, 10 to 12, and the like.

Upon receiving the operation of the history load button 881 shown in fig. 7, the host device 100 executes the history information reading process shown in fig. 11. Here, S302 to S314, S320 correspond to the reading step ST1, the reading function FU1, and the reading unit U1. S316 to S318 correspond to the specific point specification step ST2, the specific point specification function FU2, and the specific point specification unit U2.

When the history information reading process shown in fig. 11 starts, the host apparatus 100 will, for example, "is an adjustment point loaded from another profile? "such question is displayed on the display device 115 together with the button for selection, and the processing is branched according to the button operated (S302). When the "yes" button is operated to indicate that the button of the adjustment point is loaded from the other second profile 502, the host device 100 executes the history information use process shown in fig. 12 (S320), and ends the history information reading process. When the history information addition processing is performed, the profile of the read history information 700 in S402 is the first profile 501, the table of the first profile 501 is the first table 511, the adjustment target profile 550 is the second profile 502, and the table of the second profile 502 is the second table 512. Details of the history information retention process will be described later.

When the "no" button is a button that does not load an adjustment point from another profile, the host device 100 performs the processing at S304 and beyond. In this case, the adjustment target profile 550 becomes the first profile 501, and the table of the first profile 501 becomes the first table 511.

First, the host device 100 performs processing of reading history information 700 indicating the adjustment content at the adjustment point P0 from the dedicated tag 523 for the adjustment target property file 550 (S304). Here, when the history information 700 is not stored in the dedicated tag 523 (no in S306), the host device 100 ends the history information reading process. When the history information 700 is stored in the dedicated tab 523 (yes in S306), the host device 100 displays a UI screen indicating the read history information 700, and accepts a correspondence from the user (S308).

Fig. 13A schematically illustrates the structure of history information 700 stored in the dedicated tag 523 of the adjustment object property file 550. In the history information 700 shown in fig. 13A, no (identification number), adjustment date, adjustment time, the number of adjustment points P0, and adjustment contents including the original table are allocated for each adjustment of the adjustment target property file 550. The adjustment contents include the following items (a) to (H).

(A) Coordinates of an adjustment point P0 corresponding to the color of the adjustment object,

(B) An adjustment amount (adjustment target T0) at the adjustment point P0,

(C) Whether or not the adjustment target table is information of any one of the table of the input profile 610, the output profile 620, and the device link profile 630,

(D) An adjustment range A0 with the adjustment point P0 as a base point,

(E) Coordinates of pairs of adjustment points P1, P2,

(F) A file name of a third profile combined with the adjustment object profile 550,

(G) A time stamp (update time) of the third profile, and

(H) The original table before the adjustment is made to the first table 511.

The history information 700 may not have a part of the items (a) to (H).

When the input profile 610 and the output profile 620 are combined and the input profile 610 is the adjustment target profile 550, the third profile is the output profile 620, and when the input profile 610 and the output profile 620 are combined and the output profile 620 is the adjustment target profile 550, the third profile is the input profile 610.

In FIG. 13A, for example, regarding adjustment of No.1, there is shown at adjustment day 2017/3/20, adjustment time 10:50, for the case where adjustment is performed for adjustment point P0 at 106. In the adjustment content of No.1, the original Table 1 before adjustment of the adjustment point P0 at 106 is also included. In the adjustment content of No.2, the original table before adjustment of the adjustment point P0 at 5 is not included.

The host device 100 displays a UI (user interface) screen 801 shown in fig. 13B based on the history information 700 shown in fig. 13A. The UI screen 801 has No (identification number) identifying the implemented adjustment, the adjustment date, the adjustment time, the number of adjustment points P0, and a corresponding specification field 901 for each adjustment. In this specification field 901, for example, operations of "confirm adjustment result", "apply adjustment point to another profile", "cancel adjustment result", and the like can be performed. The "confirm adjustment result" is an instruction for displaying the adjustment result in the UI screen 802 shown in fig. 14A. "apply adjustment point to additional profile" is an indication in the table for applying adjustment point P0 to a profile different from current adjustment object profile 550. The "cancel adjustment result" is a cancel instruction for returning the table of the adjustment object property file 550 to the original table by the adjustment unit. The host device 100 receives the operation of the designation field 901, and performs the processing of S310 and subsequent steps based on the designation of the designation field 901.

In S310, the host device 100 branches the processing according to whether or not the original table before adjustment exists in the history information 700 of the dedicated label 523. In the case where the original table does not exist, since the past adjustment result cannot be canceled, the host device 100 advances the process to S316. In the case where the original table exists, the host device 100 branches the processing according to whether "cancel adjustment result" is specified in the specification field 901 (S312). In the case where the "cancel adjustment result" is not specified, the host device 100 advances the process to S316. When the "cancel adjustment result" is specified, the host device 100 performs processing of canceling the adjustment result of the corresponding identification number (S314). This process may be a process of returning the first table 511 of the adjustment target property file 550 to the original table with respect to adjustment of the corresponding identification number. At this time, information indicating the adjustment content from the original table to the first table 511 regarding the adjustment of the corresponding identification number may also be deleted from the history information 700. As an example, fig. 13C schematically shows the structure of the history information 700 when the adjustment result of No.3 is canceled and the information indicating the adjustment content from the original table to the first table 511 is deleted from the history information 700.

In S316, the host device 100 branches the processing according to whether or not there is an adjustment point P0 in which "confirm the adjustment result" is specified in the specification field 901 and "process as a fixed point" is specified in the specification field 903 of the UI screen 802 shown in fig. 14A. The "fixed point" refers to the adjustment amount 0, i.e., the specific point SP set to not perform readjustment. The UI screen 802 shown in fig. 14A is displayed when "confirm adjustment result" is specified in the specification field 901 shown in fig. 13B. The UI screen 802 basically has a designation field 902 of whether or not to treat as a specific point SP for all the adjustment points P0 to which "confirm" the adjustment result is designated, and also has No (identification number) identifying the set adjustment point P0, coordinates of the adjustment point P0, an adjustment date, and a corresponding designation field 903 for each adjustment point P0. When "process as a fixed point" is specified in the specification field 902, first, all the specification fields 903 are set to "process as a fixed point". When "not handled as a fixed point" is specified in the specification field 902, first, all the specification fields 903 are set to "not handled as a fixed point". In each of the designation fields 903, it is possible to switch between "process as a fixed point" and "process without a fixed point". If there is no designation field 903 designating "process as a fixed point", the host device 100 ends the history information reading process because there is no adjustment point P0 set to the specific point SP.

When the specification field 903 in which "process as a fixed point" is specified is provided, as shown in fig. 14B, the host device 100 adds the adjustment point P0 in which "process as a fixed point" is specified to the target reception area 840 as the specific point SP in which the adjustment amount is 0 (S318), and ends the history information reading process. In the example shown in fig. 14B, a case is shown in which the adjustment point P0 of id=1, 2 is the specific point SP and the adjustment amount is set to Δc=Δm=Δy=Δk=0 where no readjustment is performed.

When the adjustment point P0 is loaded from another profile (the first profile 501) in S320, the process of accepting the specific point SP in S318 is not performed. Therefore, when the second table 512 of the second profile 502 different from the first profile 501 loaded with the adjustment point P0 is adjusted, the specific point SP will not be accepted.

When the adjustment point P0 is loaded from the other first profile 501 (S320), the host device 100 first receives the designation of the first profile 501 of the read history information in the history information edge processing of fig. 12 (S402). For example, the host device 100 accepts an operation of displaying the first profile selection field 891 on the display device 115 and designating the first profile 501 in the first profile selection field 891. The first profile 501 is not limited to the profile of the same type (i.e., the input profile 610, the output profile 620, or the device link profile 630) as the second profile 502 of the adjustment target profile 550, and may be a profile of a different type as long as the processing of S404 can be performed later.

After the first profile 501 is specified, the host device 100 performs a process of reading the history information 700 from the dedicated tag 523 of the first profile 501 (S404), and ends the history information inheritance process. The read history information 700 is the coordinates of the adjustment point P0, the adjustment amount (the target T0 of adjustment) at the adjustment point P0, the adjustment range A0 with the adjustment point P0 as the base point, and the coordinates of the paired adjustment points P1, P2. The adjustment amount is used as an initial value and can be changed.

For example, when an important color is determined for an application such as a color of a logo enterprise, a profile used in operation may be changed. If the adjustment point P0 or the adjustment range A0 cannot be used from different profiles, the adjustment point P0 or the adjustment range A0 must be input in accordance with the change of the profile, and accordingly, the adjustment of the profile becomes troublesome. In addition, when the color chart for color measurement is determined in the application of the calibration profile or the like, if the profile is different, the adjustment point P0 or the adjustment range A0 must be newly input, and accordingly, the adjustment of the profile becomes troublesome. In this specific example, since the history information 700 can be used from different profiles, even if the profile changes, the input of the adjustment point P0 or the adjustment range A0 can be omitted, thereby alleviating the work of adjusting the profile.

The process of S215 will be described with reference to fig. 7, 16A, 16B, 17, and the like.

The host device 100 performs a process of changing the input items of the target reception area 840 according to the selection in the columns 811 to 813 and 830. Further, the host device 100 performs a process of changing the input item of the target reception area 840 according to the selection of the adjustment data selection field 845.

As shown in fig. 16A, in the adjustment data selection field 845, either one of "absolute value" and "relative value" can be selected. The "absolute value" is a selection item for receiving the target T0 to be adjusted as a coordinate value of the color space. The "relative value" is a selection item for receiving the target T0 to be adjusted as a difference from the current coordinate value of the color space.

When the "absolute value" is selected in the adjustment data selection field 845, as shown in fig. 16B, an input field of the coordinate values (t_l, t_a, t_b) of the adjustment target T0 is displayed in the target reception area 840 together with the display field of the current coordinate values (c_l, c_a, c_b) of the color space. Fig. 16B shows an example in which the Lab color space is selected as the adjustment target color space CS 6.

When the "relative value" is selected in the adjustment data selection field 845, as shown in fig. 7, an input field of the coordinate values (Δl, Δa, Δb) of the adjustment target T0, which is the difference from the current coordinate value of the color space, is displayed in the target reception area 840. Fig. 7 shows an example in the case where the Lab color space is selected as the adjustment target color space CS 6.

When the history information 700 is read from the adjustment target profile 550, which is the first profile 501, the adjustment point P0 included in the read history information 700 and the adjustment content of the adjustment point P0 are displayed in the target reception area 840. When the history information 700 is read from the second profile 502 different from the adjustment target profile 550, the adjustment point P0 included in the read history information 700, and the adjustment amount (adjustment target T0), the adjustment range A0, and the paired adjustment points P1 and P2 of the adjustment point P0 are displayed in the target reception area 840. The host device 100 receives the correction of the adjustment content at the adjustment point P0 included in the read history information 700. The host device 100 receives addition of the adjustment point P0 corresponding to the new color to be adjusted and setting of the adjustment content at the added adjustment point P0.

As shown in fig. 16C, an adjustment point P0 for setting the adjustment target T0 is set in the CMYK color space (CS 1). Here, since the CMYK color space is a four-dimensional color space, in fig. 16C, a three-dimensional virtual space formed by the C-axis, the M-axis, and the Y-axis is shown.

For example, when receiving an operation of the "designate from image" button 841 of the UI screen 800 shown in fig. 7 and 16B, the host device 100 displays a screen schematically representing the CMYK color space (CS 1) on the display device 115, acquires CMYK values corresponding to the operation performed by the input device 116, and updates information of the target reception area 840. When a new adjustment point P0 is designated, the host device 100 gives a corresponding ID (identification information), and causes the target reception area 840 to display the acquired CMYK values, coordinate values of the output color space CS5 obtained from the CMYK values, and the like in correspondence with the ID. When the add button 842 is operated, the host device 100 adds an ID and increases the input field corresponding to the ID added to the target reception area 840. When the delete button 843 is operated, the host device 100 accepts designation of an ID to be deleted, and deletes the input field corresponding to the designated ID.

When receiving the operation of the history load button 881, the host device 100 reads the history information 700 of the adjustment stored in the storage device 114 and adds the history information to the target reception area 840. When the operation of the history storage button 882 is accepted, the host device 100 stores information of the target acceptance area 840 as history information 700 in the storage device 114.

The adjustment target T0 received in the target receiving area 840 changes as follows according to the selection content of the adjustment target color space selection field 830 and the selection content of the adjustment data selection field 845.

(selection content 1) a CMYK color space is selected as the adjustment target color space CS6, and "absolute value" is selected in the input of the adjustment target T0. In this case, the input of the adjustment target T0 is CMYK values (set to t_c, t_m, t_y, t_k). The CMYK values are expressed by, for example, 0 to 100%.

(selection content 2) a CMYK color space is selected as the adjustment target color space CS6, and a "relative value" is selected in the input of the adjustment target T0. In this case, the input of the adjustment target T0 is a difference (Δc, Δm, Δy, Δk) between the target values (t_c, t_m, t_y, t_k) of the CMYK values and the current values (c_c, c_m, c_y, c_k) of the CMYK values.

(selection content 3) a case where the Lab color space is selected as the adjustment target color space CS6 and the "absolute value" is selected as the input of the adjustment target T0. In this case, the input of the adjustment target T0 is a Lab value (set as t_l, t_a, t_b).

(selection content 4) a case where the Lab color space is selected as the adjustment target color space CS6 and the "relative value" is selected as the input of the adjustment target T0. In this case, the input of the adjustment target T0 is the difference (Δl, Δa, Δb) between the target value (t_l, t_a, t_b) of the Lab value and the current value (c_l, c_a, c_b) of the Lab value.

(selection content 5) a case where the cmyk color space is selected as the adjustment target color space CS6 and the "absolute value" is selected in the input of the adjustment target T0. In this case, the input of the adjustment target T0 is a cmyk value (set to t_c, t_m, t_y, t_k). The cmyk value is expressed by, for example, 0 to 100%.

(selection content 6) a case where a cmyk color space is selected as the adjustment target color space CS6, and a "relative value" is selected in the input of the adjustment target T0. In this case, the input of the adjustment target T0 is the difference (Δc, Δm, Δy, Δk) between the target value (t_c, t_m, t_y, t_k) of the cmyk value and the current value (c_c, c_m, c_y, c_k) of the cmyk value.

From the above, the adjustment target T0 in the coordinates indicating the adjustment point P0 in the adjustment target color space CS6 is accepted.

The target receiving area 840 shown in fig. 7 and 16B has a pair designation area 844 for associating a plurality of adjustment points P0 and performing adjustment. The pair designation of the adjustment points P0 is used, for example, in a case where it is desired to adjust all colors of gradation between a certain color (for example, white, the first adjustment point P1 shown in fig. 28) and another color (for example, red or blue, the second adjustment point P2 shown in fig. 28) as in the gradation image IM1 shown in fig. 28. In the pair designation area 844, the IDs of the other adjustment points associated with a certain adjustment point are stored. For example, a case is shown in which an adjustment point of id=1 is associated with an adjustment point of id=0, and an adjustment point of id=2 is also associated with an adjustment point of id=0. A "-1" of the pair designation field 844 indicates a case where no additional adjustment points are associated.

For example, when receiving an operation on the paired specification areas 844 shown in fig. 7 and 16B, the host device 100 displays a paired specification screen 910 shown in fig. 17 on the display device 115.

Fig. 17 shows, as an example, a pair designation screen 910 for associating a plurality of adjustment points P0 in the case where the adjustment points P0 with id=0 to 9 are set. For example, when an operation of the first display region 911 set as the adjustment point of the first adjustment point P1 is received by the input device 116 and an operation of the second display region 912 set as the adjustment point of the second adjustment point P2 is received by the input device 116, the host device 100 displays the color 913 of the first display region 911 in the second display region 912. When an OK (confirm) button 915 is operated by the input device 116, the host device 100 sets the first adjustment point P1 of the first coordinate and the second adjustment point P2 of the second coordinate. Here, in the case where the positions of the adjustment points P1, P2 are represented by coordinate values of the CMYK color space, in the example shown in fig. 7, CMYK values of the first coordinate are (0.00,0.00,0.00,0.00), and CMYK values of the second coordinate are (5.10, 100.00, 100.00,1.18). In this case, an ID "0" of the first adjustment point P1 corresponding to the first display region 911 is displayed in the display region of the second adjustment point P2 corresponding to the second display region 912 in the pair of designated regions 844 shown in fig. 7 and 16B.

Here, the target T0 at the first adjustment point P1 shown in fig. 7 and 16B is the adjusted first target T1 at the first adjustment point P1 (refer to fig. 18B), and is an example of first adjustment data indicating the degree of adjustment at the first adjustment point P1. The target T0 at the second adjustment point P2 shown in fig. 7, 16B is the adjusted second target T2 at the second adjustment point P2 (refer to fig. 18B), and is an example of second adjustment data indicating the degree of adjustment at the second adjustment point P2.

According to the above, the first target T1 and the second target T2 are set.

The process of S216 will be described with reference to fig. 7 and the like.

The host device 100 accepts a designation of whether or not the adjustment range A0 adjusted according to the adjustment target T0 is set as the entire color space in the adjustment range designation field 850. The plurality of designated items in the adjustment range designation field 850 shown in fig. 7 include "the entire area of the input space" and "the radius", although not shown. In the case where the "entire area of the input space" is specified, the adjustment range A0 is set as the entire color space. When the "Radius" is specified, the host device 100 accepts an input of the Radius having the adjustment point P0 as the base point in the input field of "Radius" in the target acceptance area 840 as shown in fig. 16B. The radius is represented by, for example, a relative value of 0 to 100% of the euclidean distance in the first color space CS 1. An example of the adjustment range A0 in the case where the Radius (Radius) is specified is schematically shown in fig. 16C.

Here, the radius at the first adjustment point P1 shown in fig. 16B is a first adjustment range A1 (refer to fig. 18A) with the first adjustment point P1 as a base point, and is an example of first adjustment data indicating the degree of adjustment at the first adjustment point P1. The radius at the second adjustment point P2 shown in fig. 7 and 16B is a second adjustment range A2 (refer to fig. 18A) based on the second adjustment point P2, and is an example of second adjustment data indicating the degree of adjustment at the second adjustment point P2.

According to the above, the first adjustment range A1 and the second adjustment range A2 in the adjustment target property file 550 are set in the first color space CS 1.

The process of S217 will be described with reference to fig. 7 and the like.

The host device 100 accepts, in the intent specification field 860, specification of a playback intent for specifying the correspondence relationship of the adjustment object property file 550. The plurality of specified items in the intention specification field 860 shown in fig. 7 are not shown, and are three types of items, i.e., "persistence" (perceptibility), "Relative Colorimetric" (relative chromaticity), and "Saturation" (color Saturation). Of course, "Absolute Colorimetric" (absolute chromaticity) may be included in the specified item, or some of "persistence", "Relative Colorimetric" and "Saturation" may be included in the specified item. In fig. 7, an example in which "acceptable" is specified as a specification intention is shown.

From the above, any one reproduction intention is accepted as a specified intention from among a plurality of reproduction intentions for defining the correspondence relation of the adjustment target property file 550.

The process of S218 will be described with reference to fig. 4, 7, 15, and the like.

Upon receiving the operation of the history storage button 882 shown in fig. 7, the host device 100 executes the history information storage process shown in fig. 15. Here, S502 and S508 correspond to the storage step ST7, the storage function FU7, and the storage unit U7. S504 to S508 correspond to the linking step ST8, the linking function FU8, and the linking unit U8.

When the history information storage processing shown in fig. 15 is started, the host device 100 displays a UI screen 803 for receiving the designation of the stored item among the items (a) to (H) of the adjustment content described above on the display device 115, and receives the designation of the item stored as the history information 700 in the dedicated tab 523 of the adjustment object property file 550 (S502). Each of the items (a) to (H) has a check box, and the item checked in the check box is stored in the dedicated tag 523. In the example of fig. 15, there are shown cases where (a) the coordinates of the adjustment point P0, (B) the adjustment amount at the adjustment point P0 (the target of adjustment T0), (C) the manner of adjusting the object property file 550, (D) the adjustment range A0, and (E) the coordinates of the paired adjustment points P1, P2 are specified. In addition, a case is shown in which (a) the coordinates of the adjustment point P0 and (B) the adjustment amount at the adjustment point P0 are necessarily specified (cannot be separated from the specification).

After accepting the designation of the item, the host device 100 branches the processing according to whether (G) the time stamp of the third profile combined with the adjustment target profile 550 is designated (S504). If the time stamp of the third profile is not specified, the host device 100 advances the process to S508. When the time stamp of the third profile is specified, the host device 100 reads the time stamp of the combined third profile (S506). For example, in the case where the input profile 610 is the adjustment target profile 550, the timestamp of the combined output profile 620 may be read. In the case where the output profile 620 is the adjustment target profile 550, the timestamp of the combined input profile 610 may be read.

In S508, the host device 100 stores the item received and specified in the UI screen 803 in the dedicated tab 523 of the adjustment target property file 550, and ends the history information storage processing. Then, as shown in fig. 13A, history information 700 is stored in the dedicated tag 523 of the adjustment target property file 550. In the case where the time stamp of the third profile is specified, the time stamp of the third profile is linked with the adjustment object profile 550 (the first profile 501).

When receiving the operation of the adjustment execution button 870 shown in fig. 7, the host device 100 ends the process of S210 in fig. 6, and executes the process of adding the third adjustment point Qx between the paired adjustment points P1 and P2 (S220). The variable x here is a variable identifying the third adjustment point Q. In the process of S220, the third adjustment point Qx of the third coordinate is set between the first coordinate of the first adjustment point P1 and the second coordinate of the second adjustment point P2. Here, the coordinates of the positions of the adjustment points P1, P2, qx are represented by the coordinate values of the input color space CS4 of the adjustment target profile 550. For example, in the case where the input profile 610 is the adjustment target profile 550, the coordinates of the adjustment points P1, P2, qx are represented by CMYK values. When the output profile 620 is the adjustment target profile 550, the coordinates of the adjustment points P1, P2, qx are represented by Lab values. In the case where the device link profile 630 is the adjustment object profile 550, the coordinates of the adjustment points P1, P2, qx are represented by CMYK values.

Fig. 18A schematically illustrates a case where the third adjustment point Qx is added between the first adjustment point P1 and the second adjustment point P2 in the case where the input color space CS4 is a CMYK color space, and the third adjustment range A3 having the third adjustment point Qx as a base point is determined. In the CMYK color space, as coordinate axes, there are a C axis, an M axis, a Y axis, and a K axis, and in fig. 18A, for ease of understanding, the input color space CS4 of the adjustment object profile 550 is shown on a plane passing through the C axis and the M axis. Here, the open circles indicate the grid points GD0 of the adjustment object property file 550, the filled circles indicate the adjustment points P1, P2, and the hatched circle marks indicate the third adjustment point Qx. Fig. 18A shows coordinate values in one unit of the interval Δgd of the grid point GD0 on the C-axis and the Y-axis.

The added third adjustment point Qx is generated on a line connecting the adjustment points P1 and P2 in the input color space CS4 of the adjustment target profile 550. The added third adjustment point Qx is set to a number N0 based on the interval Δgd of the grid points GD0 of the input color space CS 4. Here, the number N0 is set as small as possible within the range between the lattice points of the adjustment target property file 550 where the third adjustment point Qx at the lowest 1 is located.

For example, the input color space CS4 is a CMYK color space, the coordinates of the first adjustment point P1 are (C1, M1, Y1, K1) in units of the interval Δgd of the grid point GD0, and the coordinates of the second adjustment point P2 are (C2, M2, Y2, K2) in units of the interval Δgd of the grid point GD 0. In this case, the position of the third adjustment point Qx can be set as follows, for example.

First, among the C, M, Y, and K axes of the CMYK color space, the coordinate axis having the longest distance between the first adjustment point P1 and the second adjustment point P2 in units of the interval Δgd of the grid point GD0 is selected. This is only necessary if the coordinate axes of |c2-c1|, |m2-m1|, |y2-y1|, and |k2-k1|, which are the maximum values, are selected. In the example of fig. 18A, a case is shown in which 5 < |c2-c1| < 6 and 4 < |m2-m1| < 5, and |c2-c1| is set to be larger than |m2-m1|, |y2-y1|, and |k2-k1|, thereby selecting the C axis.

Next, in the direction of the selected coordinate axis, the third adjustment point Qx of the number N0 of intervals equal to or smaller than the interval Δgd of the grid point GD0 is set. Fig. 18A shows an example in which the number N0 of the third adjustment points Qx is reduced as much as possible. For example, when the C axis is selected and n1 < |c2—c1|+.n1+1 (N1 is a positive integer), if n0=n1, the interval of the third adjustment points Qx in the C axis direction becomes equal to or smaller than the interval Δgd of the lattice points GD0, and the third adjustment point Qx at the lowest 1 enters between the lattice points of the adjustment target profile 550. In the example of fig. 18A, 5 < |c2—c1| < 6, n0=5.

The reason why the number N0 of the third adjustment points Qx is reduced as much as possible is to reduce the time taken for the processing of S104 to S120 in fig. 5 as much as possible. On the other hand, since the gradation characteristic of the output image is further improved even if the processing time becomes long, the number N0 of the third adjustment points Qx can be increased.

In the same manner, even when the input color space CS4 is Lab color space, the third adjustment point Qx can be added. Here, the coordinates of the first adjustment point P1 are (L1, a1, b 1) in the unit of the interval Δgd of the grid point GD0, and the coordinates of the second adjustment point P2 are (L2, a2, b 2) in the unit of the interval Δgd of the grid point GD 0. First, the coordinate axes of |l2-l1|, |a2-a1|, and |b2-b1| that are the maximum values may be selected among the L axis, the a axis, and the b axis of the Lab color space. Next, the third adjustment point Qx of the number N0 of intervals equal to or smaller than the interval Δgd of the grid point GD0 may be set in the direction of the selected coordinate axis.

When the output profile 620 combined with the input profile 610 is adjusted and the coordinates of the adjustment points P1 and P2 are CMYK values, the coordinates of the adjustment points P1 and P2 may be converted to Lab values based on the input profile 610, and the third adjustment point Qx may be set in the Lab color space (CS 3) based on the coordinates of the adjustment points P1 and P2 in the Lab color space (CS 3).

In the case of (b-2) shown in fig. 19E, that is, in the case where the combination of the profiles 610 and 620 is selected for color conversion and the output profile 620 is specified in the adjustment target profile 550, the host device 100 converts the coordinates of the adjustment points P1 and P2 specified by the CMYK values into Lab values, thereby setting the third adjustment point Qx. In this case, referring to the A2B table of the input profile 610, the coordinates (C1, M1, Y1, K1) of the first adjustment point P1 may be converted into (L1, a1, B1) and the coordinates (C2, M2, Y2, K2) of the second adjustment point P2 may be converted into (L2, A2, B2).

Here, as shown in fig. 20, the conversion f implemented based on a profile (for example, ICC profile) is set _icc (first parameter, second parameter, third parameter). Wherein the first parameter represents the profile used. In the first parameter, inputProfile represents an input profile. In the second parameter, A2B represents the conversion from device color to device independent color, and B2A represents the conversion from device independent color to device color. Input of the third parameter represents an Input value (CMYK, RGB, lab, etc.) of the adjustment point P0. Conversion from CMYK value to Lab value by f with reference to the A2B table of the input profile 610 _icc (InputProfile, A2B, input).

When the coordinates (L3, a3, B3) of the third adjustment point Qx are set in the Lab color space, the coordinates (L3, a3, B3) of the third adjustment point Qx may be converted into CMYK values (C3, M3, Y3, K3) by referring to the B2A table of the input profile 610. The conversion is through f _icc (InputProfile, B2A, input).

After adding the third adjustment point Q, the host device 100 determines a third target T3 of the third adjustment point Qx from the first target T1 of the first adjustment point P1 and the second target T2 of the second adjustment point P2 (S222). In the process of S222, the third target T3 of the third adjustment point Qx with respect to the third coordinate is interpolated based on the first target T1 of the first adjustment point P1 with respect to the first coordinate and the second target T2 of the second adjustment point P2 with respect to the second coordinate.

Fig. 18B schematically shows a case where the third target T3 is interpolated by interpolation and the adjustment at the third adjustment point Qx is determined. In fig. 18B, the horizontal axis represents the positions of the adjustment points P1, qx, P2, and the vertical axis represents the adjustment amount AdjustData. The adjustment amount AdjustData is represented by a relative value, and is represented by CMYK values (set to Δcp, Δmp, Δyp, Δkp), lab values (set to Δlp, Δap, Δbp), or CMYK values (set to Δcp, Δmp, Δyp, Δkp).

For example, it is assumed that the adjustment amount AdjustData is CMYK values, the adjustment amount AdjustData of the first adjustment point P1 (an example of the first target T1) is (Δc1, Δm1, Δy1, Δk1), and the adjustment amount AdjustData of the second adjustment point P2 (an example of the second target T2) is (Δc2, Δm2, Δy2, Δk2). When the adjustment amount AdjustData of the third adjustment point Qx (an example of the third target T3) is represented by (Δc3x, Δm3x, Δy3x, Δk3x), the adjustment amount AdjustData of the third adjustment point Qx can be calculated according to the following interpolation formula.

ΔC3x＝ΔC1+x·(ΔC2-ΔC1)/(N0+1)

ΔM3x＝ΔM1+x·(ΔM2-ΔM1)/(N0+1)

ΔY3x＝ΔY1+x·(ΔY2-ΔY1)/(N0+1)

ΔK3x＝ΔK1+x·(ΔK2-ΔK1)/(N0+1)

In the same way, the adjustment amount AdjustData of the third adjustment point Qx can also be calculated in the case where the adjustment amount AdjustData is a Lab value or a cmyk value. The adjustment amount AdjustData of the third adjustment point Qx is not limited to the interpolation value of the adjustment amount AdjustData of the adjustment points P1 and P2, and may be a value deviated from the interpolation value.

The host device 100 determines a third adjustment range A3 based on the third adjustment point Qx from the first adjustment range A1 based on the first adjustment point P1 and the second adjustment range A2 based on the second adjustment point P2 (S224), and ends the profile and parameter setting process. The process of S224 may be performed before the process of S222. In S224, the third adjustment range A3 of the third adjustment point Qx with respect to the third coordinate is interpolated from the first adjustment range A1 of the first adjustment point P1 with respect to the first coordinate and the second adjustment range A2 of the second adjustment point P2 with respect to the second coordinate.

Fig. 18A schematically shows a case where the third adjustment range A3 based on the third adjustment point Qx is determined by interpolation. For example, the first adjustment range A1 based on the first adjustment point P1 is set to be radius_1, and the second adjustment range A2 based on the second adjustment point P2 is set to be radius_2. When the third adjustment range A3 based on the third adjustment point Qx is represented by radius_3x, the third adjustment range A3 can be obtained by the following interpolation formula.

Radius_3x＝Radius_1+x·(Radius_2-Radius_1)/(N0+1)

The third adjustment range A3 based on the third adjustment point Qx is not limited to the interpolation value of the adjustment ranges A1 and A2 based on the adjustment points P1 and P2, and may be a value deviated from the interpolation value.

When the processing of S224 in fig. 6 is completed, the host device 100 executes the processing of S104 and subsequent in fig. 5. When the history information 700 is read from the dedicated tag 523 of the adjustment target profile 550, the readjustment of the table (first table 511) of the adjustment target profile 550 (first profile 501) is performed. When the history information 700 is read from the dedicated tag 523 of another property file (first property file 501) different from the adjustment target property file 550, adjustment of the table (second table 512) of the adjustment target property file 550 (second property file 502) is performed. In the adjustment of the second table 512, the second table 512 is adjusted within the adjustment range A0 read from the further first profile 501. The adjustment of the table of the adjustment target profile 550 is performed based on the corrected adjustment content when the correction of the adjustment content in the adjustment point P0 included in the read history information 700 is accepted, and is performed based on the adjustment content at the added adjustment point P0 when the adjustment point P0 is added.

Here, when "persistence" is designated in the intent designation field 860, the host device 100 uses information obtained from the A2B0 tag and the B2A0 tag shown in fig. 4 in the profile 500 in the processing of S104 and thereafter. When "Relative Colorimetric" (relative chromaticity) is specified in the intention specification field 860, the host device 100 uses information obtained from the A2B1 tag and the B2A1 tag shown in fig. 4 in the profile 500 in the processing of S104 and thereafter. When "Saturation" is specified in the intention specification field 860, the host device 100 uses information obtained from the A2B2 tag and the B2A2 tag shown in fig. 4 in the profile 500 in the processing of S104 and thereafter.

First, the host device 100 obtains the current output value CurrentOut from the profile (including the combination of profiles) for color conversion specified in the profile selection fields 811 to 813 for each of the adjustment points P0 and the added third adjustment point Qx input to the target reception area 840 (S104). This is to use the output color cmyk corresponding to the color of the output image IM0 formed on the printing object ME1 _p The adjustment is performed as a reference. In the case where information corresponding to the specified intention exists in the profile, color conversion is performed according to the information corresponding to the specified intention.

In the following description, the third adjustment point Qx is included in the adjustment point P0 when only the adjustment point P0 is described.

For example, as shown in fig. 19A, when only the Input profile 610 is specified for color conversion (a-1), the Input value Input of each adjustment point P0 becomes CMYK values (Cp, mp, yp, kp). In this case, the current output value CurrentOut becomes a Lab value (Lp, ap, bp). The variable P here is a variable that identifies the adjustment node P0.

Here, as described above, the value of f is _icc (first parameter, second parameter, third parameter) to represent the conversion according to the profile. Wherein the first parameter represents the profile used. In the first parameter, inputProfile represents an input profile, outputProfile represents an output profile, and DLProfile represents a device link profile. In the second parameter, A2B represents a conversion from device color to device independent color, B2A represents a conversion from device independent color to device color, and A2B0 represents a conversion by the device link table. Input of the third parameter represents an Input value (CMYK, RGB, lab, etc.) of the adjustment point P0.

In the case of (a-1) above, the adjustment target profile 550 automatically becomes the input profile 610, and the current output value CurrentOut can be calculated by the following formula (see fig. 20).

CurrentOut＝f _icc (InputProfile，A2B，Input)

As shown in fig. 19B, when only the output profile 620 is specified for color conversion (a-2), the Input value Input of each adjustment point P0 becomes a Lab value (Lp, ap, bp). In this case, the current output value CurrentOut becomes the cmyk value (cp, mp, yp, kp).

In the case of (a-2) above, the adjustment target profile 550 automatically becomes the output profile 620, and the current output value CurrentOut can be calculated by the following formula (see fig. 20).

CurrentOut＝f _icc (OutputProfile，B2A，Input)

As shown in fig. 19C, when the device link profile 630 is designated for color conversion (a-3), the Input value Input of each adjustment point P0 becomes CMYK values (Cp, mp, yp, kp). In this case, the current output value CurrentOut becomes the cmyk value (cp, mp, yp, kp).

In the case of (a-3) above, the adjustment target profile 550 automatically becomes the device link profile 630, and the current output value CurrentOut can be calculated by the following formula (refer to fig. 20).

CurrentOut＝f _icc (DLProfile，A2B0，Input)

As shown in fig. 19D and 19E, when the combinations of the profiles 610 and 620 are designated for color conversion, (b-1) and (b-2), the Input value Input of each adjustment point P0 becomes CMYK values (Cp, mp, yp, kp). In this case, the current output value CurrentOut becomes the cmyk value (cp, mp, yp, kp).

In the cases (b-1) and (b-2), the adjustment target profile 550, both the input profile 610 and the output profile 620, can calculate the current output value CurrentOut by the following formula (see fig. 20).

CurrentOut＝f _icc (OutputProfile，B2A，f _icc (InputProfile，A2B，Input))

After the current output value CurrentOut is calculated, the host device 100 obtains the target output value TargetOut from the profile (including the combination of profiles) for color conversion specified in the profile selection fields 811 to 813 and the adjustment target color space CS6 specified in the adjustment target color space selection field 830 for each of the adjustment points P0 (including the third adjustment point Qx) (S106). This is to use the output color cmyk corresponding to the color of the output image IM0 formed on the printing object ME1 _p The adjustment is performed as a reference. In the case where information corresponding to the specified intention exists in the profile, color conversion is performed according to the information corresponding to the specified intention. The target output value TargetOut of a specific point SP becomes the current output value CurrentOut.

For example, in the case where only the input profile 610 is specified for color conversion and the input color space CS4 is specified for the adjustment target color space CS6 as shown in fig. 21A (a-1-1), in the CMYK color space, the adjustment amount AdjustData is added to the CMYK values (Cp, mp, yp, kp). The adjustment amount Adjust Data is represented by relative values (ΔCp, ΔMp, ΔYp, ΔKp). In the CMYK color space, the adjusted CMYK values are obtained by (cp+Δcp, mp+Δmp, yp+Δyp,

kp+Δkp).

In the case of (a-1-1), the target output value TargetOut can be calculated by the following formula (see fig. 23).

TargetOut＝f _icc (InputProfile，A2B，Input+AdjustData)

In the case where only the input profile 610 is specified for color conversion and the output color space CS5 is specified for the adjustment target color space CS6 as shown in fig. 21B (a-1-2), in the Lab color space, the adjustment amount AdjustData is added to the Lab values (Lp, ap, bp). The adjustment amount Adjust Data is represented by relative values (ΔLp, Δap, Δbp). In the Lab color space, the adjusted Lab values are represented by (lp+ΔLp, ap+Δap, bp+Δbp).

In the case of (a-1-2) above, the target output value TargetOut can be calculated by the following formula (see fig. 23).

TargetOut＝f _icc (InputProfile，A2B，Input)+AdjustData

In the case where only the output profile 620 is specified for color conversion and the input color space CS4 is specified for the adjustment target color space CS6 as shown in fig. 21C (a-2-1), in the Lab color space, the adjustment amount AdjustData is added to the Lab values (Lp, ap, bp). The adjustment amount Adjust Data is represented by relative values (ΔLp, Δap, Δbp). In the Lab color space, the adjusted Lab values are represented by (lp+ΔLp, ap+Δap, bp+Δbp).

In the case of (a-2-1) above, the target output value TargetOut can be calculated by the following formula (see fig. 23).

TargetOut＝f _icc (OutputProfile，B2A，Input+AdjustData)

In the case where only the output profile 620 is specified for color conversion and the output color space CS5 is specified for the adjustment target color space CS6 as shown in fig. 21D (a-2-2), in the cmyk color space, the adjustment amount AdjustData is increased for the cmyk values (cp, mp, yp, kp). The adjustment amount AdjustData is represented by relative values (Δcp, Δmp, Δyp, Δkp). In cmyk color space, the adjusted cmyk values are obtained by (cp+Δcp, mp+Δmp, yp+Δyp,

kp+Δkp).

In the case of (a-2-2) above, the target output value TargetOut can be calculated by the following formula (see fig. 23).

TargetOut＝f _icc (OutputProfile，B2A，Input)+AdjustData

In the case (a-3-1) where the device link profile 630 is specified for color conversion and the input color space CS4 is specified for the adjustment target color space CS6, the adjustment amount AdjustData is added to the CMYK values (Cp, mp, yp, kp) in the CMYK color space. The adjustment amount Adjust Data is represented by relative values (ΔCp, ΔMp, ΔYp, ΔKp). In the CMYK color space, the adjusted CMYK values are represented by (cp+Δcp, mp+Δmp, yp+Δyp, kp+Δkp).

In the case of (a-3-1) above, the target output value TargetOut can be calculated by the following formula (see fig. 23).

TargetOut＝f _icc (DLProfile，A2B0，Input+AdjustData)

In the case (a-3-2) where the device link profile 630 is specified for color conversion and the output color space CS5 is specified for the adjustment target color space CS6, the adjustment amount AdjustData is added to the cmyk values (cp, mp, yp, kp) in the cmyk color space. The adjustment amount AdjustData is represented by relative values (Δcp, Δmp, Δyp, Δkp). In cmyk color space, the adjusted cmyk values are represented by (cp+Δcp, mp+Δmp, yp+Δyp, kp+Δkp).

In the case of (a-3-2) above, the target output value TargetOut can be calculated by the following formula (see fig. 23).

TargetOut＝f _icc (DLProfile，A2B0，Input)+AdjustData

Although not shown, it is also conceivable that the Lab color space is designated for the adjustment target color space CS 6. In this case, the Lab color space is the output color space CS5 in the input profile 610 and is the input color space CS4 in the output profile 620. For example, the target output value TargetOut can be calculated by referring to the output profile used for creating the device link profile 630.

In the case where a combination of the property files 610, 620 is specified for color conversion and an input color space CS4 of the input property file 610 is specified for the adjustment target color space CS6 as shown in fig. 22A (b-1-1), in the CMYK color space, the adjustment amount AdjustData is increased for the CMYK values (Cp, mp, yp, kp). The adjustment amount Adjust Data is represented by relative values (ΔCp, ΔMp, ΔYp, ΔKp). In the CMYK color space, the adjusted CMYK values are represented by (cp+Δcp, mp+Δmp, yp+Δyp, kp+Δkp).

In the case of (b-1-1), the target output value TargetOut can be calculated by the following formula (see fig. 23).

TargetOut＝f _icc (OutputProfile，B2A，f _icc (InputProfile，A2B，Input+AdjustData))

The above formula is also the same when the adjustment object profile 550 is the output profile 620.

In the case (B-1-2) where a combination of the profiles 610, 620 is specified for color conversion and an output color space CS5 of the output profile 620 is specified for the adjustment target color space CS6 as shown in fig. 22B, in the cmyk color space, the adjustment amount AdjustData is added to the cmyk values (cp, mp, yp, kp). The adjustment amount AdjustData is represented by relative values (Δcp, Δmp, Δyp, Δkp). In cmyk color space, the adjusted cmyk values are represented by (cp+Δcp, mp+Δmp, yp+Δyp, kp+Δkp).

In the case of (b-1-2) above, the target output value TargetOut can be calculated by the following formula (see fig. 23).

TargetOut＝f _icc (OutputProfile，B2A，f _icc (InputProfile，A2B，Input))+AdjustData

In the case (b-1-3) where a combination of the profiles 610, 620 is specified for color conversion and PCS (the output color space CS5 in the input profile 610 and the input color space CS4 in the output profile 620) is specified for the adjustment target color space CS6 as shown in fig. 22C, in the Lab color space, the adjustment amount adjust data is increased for the Lab values (Lp, ap, bp). The adjustment amount Adjust Data is represented by relative values (ΔLp, Δap, Δbp). In the Lab color space, the adjusted Lab values are represented by (lp+ΔLp, ap+Δap, bp+Δbp).

In the case of (b-1-3) above, the target output value TargetOut can be calculated by the following formula (see fig. 23).

TargetOut＝f _icc (OutputProfile，B2A，f _icc (InputProfile，A2B，Input)+AdjustData)

The calculation of the target output value TargetOut may be omitted when the adjustment target T0 is represented by the output coordinate value, or may be limited to be performed when the adjustment target T0 is not represented by the output coordinate value.

After the target output value TargetOut is calculated, the host device 100 obtains the Input value input_p and the adjustment target value targetout_p in the adjustment target profile 550 for each adjustment point P0 (S108). This is to adjust the correspondence between the input value and the output value in the adjustment object property file 550. In the case where information corresponding to the specified intention exists in the property file, color conversion is performed based on the information corresponding to the specified intention.

In the case of (a-1), (a-2), (a-3) shown in fig. 19A, 19B, 19C, that is, in the case where one profile (any one of profiles 610, 620, 630) is specified for color conversion, the specified profile is the adjustment target profile 550. Accordingly, the Input value Input of the specified profile is used as the Input value input_p in the adjustment target profile 550, and the target output value TargetOut of the specified profile is used as the adjustment target value targetout_p in the adjustment target profile 550. As a formula, the following expression is shown (refer to fig. 25).

Input_P＝Input

TargetOut_P＝TargetOut

In addition, the current output value currentout_p in the adjustment object profile 550 is the current output value CurrentOut of the specified profile.

CurrentOut_P＝CurrentOut

When the relative value of the adjustment target T0 is represented by the output color space CS5 of the adjustment object profile 550, it becomes targetout_p-currentout_p.

As shown in fig. 24A, in the case of (b-1) shown in fig. 19D, that is, in the case where a combination of the profiles 610, 620 is selected for color conversion and the Input profile 610 is specified for the adjustment target profile 550, the Input value Input of the combination of the profiles 610, 620 is used as the Input value input_p in the adjustment target profile 550. The adjustment target value targetout_p (Lab value) of the adjustment target profile 550 can be calculated from the target output value TargetOut, which is the cmyk value (see fig. 25).

Input_P＝Input

TargetOut_P＝f _icc (OutputProfile，A2B，TargetOut)

The adjustment target value targetout_p (Lab value) of the adjustment target property file 550 is obtained from the target output value TargetOut (cmyk value) in order to obtain the output color cmyk corresponding to the color of the output image IM0 _p The adjustment is performed as a reference.

In addition, the current output value currentout_p (Lab value) in the adjustment target profile 550 is expressed by the following formula.

CurrentOut_P＝f _icc (InputProfile，A2B，Input)

When the relative value of the adjustment target T0 is represented by the output color space CS5 of the adjustment target profile 550, it becomes targetout_p-currentout_p.

As shown in fig. 24B, in the case of (B-2) shown in fig. 19E, that is, in the case where a combination of the profiles 610, 620 is selected for color conversion and the output profile 620 is specified for the adjustment target profile 550, the target output value TargetOut of the combination of the profiles 610, 620 is used as the adjustment target value targetout_p in the adjustment target profile 550. The Input value input_p (Lab value) of the adjustment target profile 550 can be calculated from the Input values Input (CMYK values) as CMYK values (see fig. 25).

Input_P＝f _icc (InputProfile，A2B，Input)

TargetOut_P＝TargetOut

In addition, the current output value currentout_p (cmyk value) in the adjustment object profile 550 is the current output value CurrentOut of the combination of profiles 610, 620.

CurrentOut_P＝CurrentOut

After the Input value input_p and the adjustment target value targetout_p in the adjustment target profile 550 are acquired, the host device 100 adjusts the adjustment range A0 of the adjustment target profile 550 according to the adjustment target T0 in S110 to S112.

First, a concept of adjusting the adjustment target profile 550 in the adjustment range A0 will be described with reference to fig. 26A and 26B. Here, in fig. 26A and 21B, the horizontal axis represents an input value along a certain coordinate axis of the input color space CS4, and the vertical axis represents an output value along a certain coordinate axis of the output color space CS 5. For example, in the case where the input color space CS4 is a CMYK color space, the horizontal axis becomes the C-axis, M-axis, Y-axis, or K-axis. When the output color space CS5 is a Lab color space, the vertical axis becomes the L-axis, a-axis, or b-axis. The open circles on the horizontal axis represent grid points GD0.

Fig. 26A schematically illustrates the adjustment amounts AD of the respective lattice points GD0 in the case of adjusting the output values. The adjustment point P0 corresponds to the Input value input_P. When the adjustment amount AdjustData is given as the adjustment target T0, an adjustment target value targetout_p by the adjustment amount AdjustData is set to be added to the current output value currentout_p corresponding to the Input value input_p. Of course, if the adjustment object color space CS6 is a cmyk color space, the current output value currentout_p and the adjustment target value targetout_p are represented by cmyk values, and the adjustment amount AdjustData is represented by the relative values (Δcp, Δmp, Δyp, Δkp) of the cmyk values. If the adjustment target color space CS6 is a Lab color space, the current output value currentout_p and the adjustment target value targetout_p are represented by Lab values, and the adjustment amount adjust data is represented by relative values (Δlp, Δap, Δbp) of Lab values.

The adjustment range A0 is set for the adjustment amount AdjustData by the input to the adjustment range specification field 850 and the target reception area 840 shown in fig. 7 and the processing of S224 of fig. 6. When the "radius" is specified in the adjustment range specification field 850, basically, the adjustment amount of the output value with respect to the Input value input_p is set to the maximum, and the adjustment amount is set to 0 at the boundary of the adjustment range A0. However, since the actual adjustment is performed for the grid point GD0 of the adjustment target property file 550, the adjustment may affect a wider range than the set adjustment range A0.

Fig. 26B schematically illustrates the adjustment amounts AD of the respective lattice points GD0 in the case of adjusting the input values. The adjustment point P0 corresponds to the Input value input_P. When the adjustment amount AdjustData is set as the adjustment target T0, the output value corresponding to the Input value input_p+adjustdata, which is the Input value input_p added with the adjustment amount AdjustData, becomes the output value expected at the adjustment point P0. Of course, if the adjustment object color space CS6 is a CMYK color space, the Input value input_p is represented by CMYK values, and the adjustment amount AdjustData is represented by relative values (Δcp, Δmp, Δyp, Δkp) of CMYK values. If the adjustment target color space CS6 is a Lab color space, the Input value input_p is represented by a Lab value, and the adjustment amount adjust data is represented by relative values (Δlp, Δap, Δbp) of the Lab value.

The above correction is performed for all coordinate axes of the input color space CS4 and all coordinate values of the output color space CS 5.

Next, an example in which the adjustment amount AD is set at each grid point GD0 of the adjustment range A0 will be described with reference to fig. 27A and 27B. In fig. 27A and 22B, the horizontal axis represents the input value, and the vertical axis represents the adjustment amount AD of the output value. The triangle mark on the horizontal axis represents the lattice point (excluding the nearest lattice point GDnearest) located within the adjustment range A0, and the quadrangle mark on the horizontal axis represents the lattice point where the output value outside the adjustment range A0 is not corrected.

First, as shown in fig. 27A, the host device 100 determines, for each adjustment point P0, an adjustment amount AD1 of an output value of the nearest lattice point GDnearest to the adjustment point P0 (S110 in fig. 5). In fig. 27A, an example of determining the adjustment amount AD1 of the output value in the case where four adjustment points P0 (Input values input_p) exist on a certain coordinate axis of the Input color space CS4 is shown. In the example of fig. 27A, the adjustment amount AdjustData with respect to the Input value input_p is directly set as the adjustment amount AD1 with respect to the output value of the nearest lattice point GDnearest. Of course, the present technology is not limited to the case where the adjustment amount AD1 of the output value with respect to the nearest lattice point GDnearest is set as the adjustment amount AdjustData.

After determining the adjustment amount AD1 of the output value with respect to the nearest lattice point GDnearest, as shown in fig. 27B, the host device 100 determines the adjustment amount AD2 of the output value with respect to lattice points (lattice points of triangular marks) located around the nearest lattice point GDnearest within the adjustment range A0 (S112 of fig. 5). For example, the adjustment amount of the output value with respect to the lattice point outside the adjustment range A0 is set to 0 in advance, the adjustment amount AD1 with respect to the output value of each nearest lattice point GDnearest is set to AdjustData, and interpolation operation realized by a 3 rd order spline function of three dimensions or four dimensions is performed, whereby the adjustment amount AD2 with respect to the output value of the surrounding lattice point can be determined. Here, the interpolation operation may be performed by a 3-dimensional spline function in four dimensions in the case where the input color space CS4 is a CMYK color space, and the interpolation operation may be performed by a 3-dimensional spline function in three dimensions in the case where the input color space CS4 is a Lab color space. By performing such interpolation operation, the adjustment amount AD2 of the output value with respect to the surrounding lattice point is smoothly connected between the adjustment amount AD1 of the output value with respect to each nearest lattice point GDnearest and the adjustment amount "0" of the output value with respect to the lattice point outside the adjustment range A0.

Of course, the present technique is not limited to the case of using a spline function in the interpolation operation.

Depending on the user, there is a case where the user wants to adjust all colors of the gradation image IM1 shown in fig. 28, which are successively gradation from the first adjustment point P1 to the second adjustment point P2. When the first adjustment point P1 and the second adjustment point P2 are separated in the input color space CS4, the adjustment ranges A1, A2 of the adjustment points P1, P2 do not overlap, and even if the adjustment amount AdjustData is set only for the adjustment points P1, P2, sometimes the color between the adjustment points P1, P2 is not adjusted, so that the gradation characteristic of the output image is lowered. However, when the adjustment ranges A1, A2 of the adjustment points P1, P2 are enlarged, the adjustment is performed even for colors for which the adjustment is not desired. To prevent this, a plurality of adjustment points and adjustment amounts AdjustData need to be set between the adjustment points P1, P2 as well. In particular, when the adjustment points P1, P2 are separated, the setting of the adjustment point and the adjustment amount AdjustData becomes complicated in accordance therewith.

In this specific example, a third adjustment point Qx is automatically added between the pair of designated adjustment points P1, P2, and the adjustment amount AdjustData and the adjustment range A3 of the third adjustment point Qx are also automatically determined, and these adjustment data are also reflected in the adjustment of the profile 500. Therefore, the work of improving the gradation characteristics of the output image is reduced.

After determining the adjustment amounts AD of the output values of the respective grid points with respect to the adjustment range A0, the host device 100 reflects the determined adjustment amounts AD in the adjustment target property file 550 (S114 of fig. 5). That is, for each grid point of the adjustment range A0, the value obtained by adding the adjustment amount AD to the current output value may be written as the updated output value into the adjustment target profile 550. For example, if the output color space CS5 of the adjustment target profile 550 is the cmyk color space, the current output value (expressed as cq, mq, yq, kq) is added with the adjustment amount (expressed as Δcq, Δmq, Δyq, Δkq) to obtain a value (cq+Δcq, mq+Δmq, yq+Δyq, kq+Δkq) as the updated output value. If the output color space CS5 of the adjustment target profile 550 is the Lab color space, the value (lq+Δlq, aq+Δaq, bq+Δbq) obtained by adding the adjustment amount (Δlq, Δaq, Δbq) to the current output value (Lq, aq, bq) becomes the updated output value. The variable q here is a variable that identifies a lattice point within the adjustment range A0.

In the above manner, the correspondence relation of the adjustment object property file 550 is adjusted so that the current output value CurrentOut is close to the target output value TargetOut in the second color space CS 2. In the case where the information corresponding to the specified intention is located in the adjustment object property file 550, the adjustment object property file 550 is adjusted on the correspondence relation corresponding to the specified intention.

After the update of the adjustment target profile 550, the host device 100 obtains the current output value CurrentOut for each adjustment point P0 (including the third adjustment point Qx) using the updated adjustment target profile 550 or a combination of profiles including the updated adjustment target profile 550 (S116). The updated current output value CurrentOut can be calculated using the same formula as the process of S104 described with reference to fig. 19A to 19E and fig. 20. In the case where information corresponding to the specified intention is located in the property file, color conversion is performed according to the information corresponding to the specified intention.

Further, the host device 100 obtains the difference d between the updated current output value CurrentOut and the target output value TargetOut for each of the adjustment points P0 (including the third adjustment point Qx)

(S118). The difference can be set to, for example, the euclidean distance between the point corresponding to the output value CurrentOut and the point corresponding to the target output value TargetOut in the output color space CS5 of the adjustment target profile 550.

In addition, the host device 100 determines whether or not the end condition of the repetition of the processing of S108 to S120 is satisfied (S120), and if the end condition is not satisfied, the processing of S108 to S120 is repeated, and if the end condition is satisfied, the profile adjustment processing is ended. For example, the end condition may be satisfied when the difference d is equal to or smaller than a predetermined threshold value for all the adjustment points P0. When the number of times reaches a predetermined number, the end condition may be satisfied.

According to the above, the adjustment object profile 550 is adjusted such that the input coordinate value corresponding to the adjustment point P0 is adjusted according to the current adjustment object profile 550 or includes the adjustment pairThe current output value CurrentOut obtained as a combination of profiles of profile 550 is close to the target output value TargetOut. Thus, since the output color cmyk is expressed _p Since the adjustment target profile 550 is adjusted based on the coordinate values of (a), the present specific example can adjust the profile used for conversion of the coordinate values of the color space to achieve good color reproduction accuracy. At this time, since the adjustment target property file 550 and the adjustment target color space CS6 can be specified, this specific example can flexibly correspond to the use environment of the user.

Further, since the history information 700 is stored in the dedicated tag 523 of the profile, the relationship between the table of the adjustment target and the history information 700 is maintained. In the case of performing readjustment of the table of the profile, an undesired color change is suppressed, and further, readjustment due to an operation error is suppressed. In the case of adjusting another table, the adjustment work can be saved. Further, the user can set a specific point SP which is not readjusted among the one or more adjustment points P0 included in the read history information 700. Therefore, this specific example improves the convenience of the work of adjusting the profile used in the conversion of the coordinate values of the color space.

(6) Modification example:

the present invention contemplates various modifications.

For example, the output device is not limited to an inkjet printer, and may be an electrophotographic printer such as a laser printer, a three-dimensional printer, a display device, or the like.

The type of the color material forming the image is not limited to C, M, Y, K, and C, M, Y, K may include Dy (dark yellow), or (orange), gr (green), lk (light black) having a lower concentration than K, a coloring-free color material for improving the image quality, and the like having a higher concentration than Lc, lm, and Y.

Of course, the second color space is not limited to the cmyk color space, but may be a CMY color space, an RGB color space, or the like.

The target device is not limited to the target printer, and may be a display device or the like.

Of course, the first color space is not limited to the CMYK color space, but may be a CMY color space, an RGB color space, or the like.

The color space that can be selected as the adjustment target color space is not limited to the three types of the first color space, the second color space, and the profile connection space, and may be two types of the first color space and the second color space, or may be two types of the first color space and the profile connection space, or may be two types of the second color space and the profile connection space.

The third adjustment point Q is not limited to the line connecting the adjustment points P1 and P2, and may be set at a position offset from the line connecting the adjustment points P1 and P2.

Also, in the case where the adjustment range A0 is fixed, the third target T3 at the third adjustment point Qx can be determined from the adjusted first target T1 at the first adjustment point P1 and the adjusted second target T2 at the second adjustment point P2. Even if the targets T1, T2 are determined in advance, the third adjustment range A3 can be determined from the first adjustment range A1 based on the first adjustment point P1 and the second adjustment range A2 based on the second adjustment point P2.

As illustrated in fig. 29, the history information 700 may be used from a profile in a different manner. In the example of fig. 29, the device link profile 630 is taken as the adjustment target profile 550 (second profile 502), and the history information 700 of the output profile 620 (first profile 501) combined with the input profile 610 is applied to the device link profile 630. For example, for the output profile 620 combined with the input profile 610, an adjustment amount (adjustment target T0) is set in the cmyk color space (CS 2), and the adjustment amount is stored in a dedicated tag of the output profile 620. When the device link profile 630 is adjusted, the device link profile 630 can be adjusted in the cmyk color space (CS 2) according to the adjustment amount read by reading the adjustment amount set in the cmyk color space (CS 2) from the output profile 620.

Of course, the output profile 620 combined with the input profile 610 may be used as the adjustment target profile 550 (the second profile 502), and the history information 700 of the device link profile 630 (the first profile 501) may be applied to the output profile 620.

For example, when an important color is determined for an application such as a color of a symbol enterprise, an operation may be performed to change a profile to be used. If the adjustment point P0 or the adjustment range A0 cannot be used from among the characteristic files of different modes, the adjustment point P0 or the adjustment range A0 must be input every time the characteristic file is changed, and accordingly, the operation of adjusting the characteristic file becomes troublesome. In this modification, since the history information 700 can be used from a different profile, the input of the adjustment point P0 and the adjustment range A0 can be omitted when the profile is changed, and the task of adjusting the profile can be reduced.

In addition, as in the history information reading process illustrated in fig. 30, when the adjustment target profile 550 is combined with another third profile, the matching of the time stamps of the third profile may be set as the condition for the application of the history information 700. In the history information saving process shown in fig. 15, the time stamp of the third profile combined with the adjustment target profile 550 (first profile 501) is stored in the dedicated tag 523 of the adjustment target profile 550. Therefore, in the case where the time stamp of the combination object profile stored in the dedicated tag of the profile combined with the third profile is different from the time stamp of the third profile, the read history information is not used in the readjustment of the first table 511.

In the history information reading process shown in fig. 30, when the adjustment point P0 is not loaded from another profile (no in S302), the host device 100 branches the process according to the presence or absence of the third profile combined with the adjustment target profile 550 (S352). If the third profile combined with the adjustment target profile 550 does not exist, the host device 100 executes the processing of S304 to S318 shown in fig. 11, and ends the history information reading processing.

If there is a third profile that is combined with the adjustment target profile 550, the host device 100 branches the process according to whether or not the time stamp of the combination target profile stored in the dedicated tag 523 of the adjustment target profile 550 is different from the time stamp of the third profile that is the current combination target profile (S354). In the case where the time stamps are different, even if the name of the combined profile is the same as the name of the saved profile, it is possible that the combined profile is not actually combined. Therefore, when the time stamps are different, the host device 100 does not perform the processing of S304 to S318 shown in fig. 11, and ends the history information reading processing. When the time stamps match, the host device 100 executes the processing of S304 to S318 shown in fig. 11, and ends the history information reading processing.

In view of the above, in the present modification, a technique of suppressing the rework of work in the case of adjusting a profile can be provided.

When the specific point SP is accepted and the readjustment of the profile is performed so that the readjustment is not performed at the specific point SP, the area in which the history information 700 is stored may be a storage area provided in the storage device 114 separately from the profile, not limited to the dedicated tag 523.

(7) Summarizing:

as described above, according to the present invention, various means can be provided such as a technique for improving the convenience of the adjustment work of a profile used for conversion of coordinate values in a color space. Of course, the above-described basic actions and effects can be obtained by a technique consisting of only the constituent elements according to the independent claims.

Further, the structures of the combinations of the respective structures disclosed in the above examples may be replaced or changed, the structures of the combinations of the respective structures disclosed in the known technology and the above examples may be replaced or changed, or the like. The present invention also encompasses these structures and the like.

Symbol description

100 … … host device (example of a profile adjustment system), 114 … … storage device, 115 … … display device, 116 … … input device, 200 … … printer, 300 … … target printer, 400 … … RIP, 500 … … profile, 501 … … first profile, 502 … … second profile, 510 … … table, 511 … … first table, 512 … … second table, 523 … … dedicated tab (example of a storage area), 550 … … adjustment object profile, 610 … … input profile, 620 … … output profile, 630 … … device link profile, 700 … … history information, 800, 801, 802, 803 … … UI screen, 811 … … input profile selection field, 812 … … output profile selection field, 813 … … device link profile selection field, 820 … … adjustment object profile designation field, 830 … … adjustment object color space selection field, 840 … … target receiving area, 841, … … "are specified according to an image" button 842, … … button 843 button, … … deletion area … … button, … … designated area, … …, 8837 application-specific profile, … … history storage area 52870, … … designated area … …, … … input profile selection field, … … user profile selection field, storage area selection field 52891, and profile selection field management … … input profile selection field, 812 … … display device input profile selection field, 812 … … display field, 812 … … device input profile selection field, … … display field, and storage area selection field management profile input profile, 902, 903 … … designation column, 910 … … paired designation screen, A0 … … adjustment range, A1 … … first adjustment range, A2 … … second adjustment range, A3 … … third adjustment range, CS1 … … first color space, CS2 … … second color space, CS3 … … profile connection space, CS4 … … input color space, CS5 … … output color space, A3 … …, the CS6 … … adjusts the object color space, GD0, GD1, GD2 … … grid, GDnearest grid of GDnearest … …, P0 … … adjustment, P1 … … first adjustment, P2 … … second adjustment, Q … … third adjustment, PR0 … … profile adjustment program, SP … … specific point, ST1 … … reading process, ST2 … … specific point assignment process, ST3 … … adjustment point receiving process, ST4 … … adjustment point adding process, ST5 … … adjustment data generating process, ST6 … … profile adjustment process, ST7 … … storage process, ST8 … … linking process, T0 … … target, T1 … … first target, T2 … … second target, T3 … … third target.

Claims

1. A profile adjustment method that adjusts a correspondence relationship between coordinate values of an input color space and coordinate values of an output color space, the profile adjustment method comprising:

a storage step of storing history information indicating adjustment contents of a first table in which the correspondence relation is defined in a first profile in a special tag of the first profile;

a reading step of reading the history information from the dedicated tag of the first profile; and

a profile adjustment step of using the read history information for at least one of readjustment of the first table and adjustment of a second table in which the correspondence relationship is defined in a second profile,

the history information represents adjustment contents at one or more adjustment points corresponding to the color of the adjustment object,

the characteristic file adjustment method further includes a specific point specification step of accepting, as a specific point, an adjustment point that is not readjusted among the one or more adjustment points included in the history information read in the reading step,

In the profile adjustment process, the readjustment of the first table is performed in such a manner that the readjustment is not performed at the specific point,

the history information includes one or more items of the following (a) to (H):

(A) Coordinates of an adjustment point corresponding to a color of the adjustment object;

(B) A target of adjustment at the adjustment point;

(C) Whether the table of the adjustment object is any one of a link profile in which a first coordinate value of a first color space corresponds to a second coordinate value of a second color space, an input profile in which the first coordinate value corresponds to a third coordinate value of a profile connection space, and an output profile in which the third coordinate value corresponds to the second coordinate value;

(D) An adjusting range taking the adjusting point as a base point;

(E) A combination of a first coordinate and a second coordinate for setting a third adjustment point of a third coordinate according to the first adjustment point of the first coordinate and the second adjustment point of the second coordinate;

(F) A file name of a third profile combined with the first profile in a conversion from the first coordinate value to the second coordinate value;

(G) The update time of the third profile; and

(H) The original form before the first form is adjusted.

2. The profile adjustment method of claim 1, wherein,

when the second table is adjusted in the profile adjustment step, the specific point is not accepted in the specific point specification step.

3. The profile adjustment method as claimed in claim 1 or claim 2, wherein,

the characteristic file adjustment method further includes an adjustment point reception step of receiving, in the adjustment point reception step, correction of adjustment content at an adjustment point included in the history information read in the reading step, addition of an adjustment point corresponding to a new adjustment target color, and setting of adjustment content at the added adjustment point,

in the profile adjustment step, at least one of readjustment of the first table and adjustment of the second table is performed based on the adjustment points included in the read history information and the adjustment contents at the additional adjustment points.

4. The profile adjustment method as claimed in claim 1 or claim 2, wherein,

the history information includes a plurality of items,

in the storing step, a designation of an item to be stored among the plurality of items is received, and the item for which the designation is received is stored in the dedicated tag.

5. The profile adjustment method as claimed in claim 1 or claim 2, wherein,

further comprising a linking step of storing an update time of a third profile combined with the first profile in a conversion from a first coordinate value of a first color space to a second coordinate value of a second color space in the dedicated tag of the first profile,

in the profile adjustment step, when the update time stored in the dedicated tag of the profile combined with the third profile is different from the update time of the third profile, the read history information is not used for readjustment of the first table.

6. The profile adjustment method as claimed in claim 1 or claim 2, wherein,

the history information includes an original table prior to the adjustment of the first table,

In the reading step, a cancel instruction for returning the first table to the original table may be received, and when the cancel instruction is received, the first table may be returned to the original table.

7. The profile adjustment method as claimed in claim 1 or claim 2, wherein,

the history information includes coordinates of an adjustment point corresponding to a color of the adjustment object,

the characteristic file adjustment method further includes an adjustment point reception step of receiving, in the adjustment point reception step, correction of adjustment contents at adjustment points included in the history information read in the reading step,

in the profile adjustment process, the second table is adjusted according to the adjustment content at the adjustment point included in the read history information.

8. The profile adjustment method as claimed in claim 1 or claim 2, wherein,

the history information includes an adjustment range based on an adjustment point corresponding to a color of an adjustment object,

in the profile adjustment step, the second table is adjusted within the adjustment range at the time of adjustment of the second table.

9. The profile adjustment method as claimed in claim 1 or claim 2, wherein,

the history information includes a first adjustment point of a first coordinate, a second adjustment point of a second coordinate, first adjustment data representing a degree of adjustment at the first adjustment point, and second adjustment data representing a degree of adjustment at the second adjustment point,

the profile adjustment method further includes:

an adjustment point adding step of setting a third adjustment point of a third coordinate on the basis of the first coordinate and the second coordinate; and

an adjustment data generation step of generating third adjustment data indicating the degree of adjustment at the third adjustment point based on the first adjustment data and the second adjustment data,

in the profile adjustment step, the second table is adjusted based on the first adjustment data, the second adjustment data, and the third adjustment data.

10. The profile adjustment method as claimed in claim 1 or claim 2, wherein,

the first profile is one of a link profile in which a first coordinate value of a first color space corresponds to a second coordinate value of a second color space, an input profile in which the first coordinate value corresponds to a third coordinate value of a profile connection space, and an output profile in which the third coordinate value corresponds to the second coordinate value,

The second profile is any one of the link profile, the input profile, and the output profile.

11. A profile adjustment method comprising:

a reading step of reading, from a storage area, history information indicating adjustment contents at one or more adjustment points corresponding to a color of an adjustment target, for a profile that defines a correspondence relationship between coordinate values of an input color space and coordinate values of an output color space;

a specific point specifying step of receiving, as a specific point, an adjustment point at which readjustment is not performed among the one or more adjustment points included in the read history information; and

a profile adjustment step of performing readjustment of the profile in such a manner that readjustment is not performed at the specific point,

the history information includes one or more items of the following (a) to (H):

(B) A target of adjustment at the adjustment point;

(D) An adjusting range taking the adjusting point as a base point;

(G) The update time of the third profile; and

(H) The original form before the first form is adjusted.

12. A profile adjustment system that adjusts a correspondence relationship between coordinate values of an input color space and coordinate values of an output color space, the profile adjustment system comprising:

a storage unit that stores history information indicating adjustment contents of a first table in which the correspondence relation is defined in a first profile in a dedicated tag of the first profile;

a reading section that reads the history information from the dedicated tag of the first profile; and

a profile adjustment unit that uses the read history information for at least one of readjustment of the first table and adjustment of a second table in which the correspondence relationship is defined in a second profile,

the profile adjustment system further includes a specific point specification unit that receives, as a specific point, an adjustment point that is not subjected to readjustment among the one or more adjustment points included in the history information read by the reading unit,

in the profile adjustment section, readjustment of the first table is performed in such a manner that readjustment is not performed at the specific point,

the history information includes one or more items of the following (a) to (H):

(B) A target of adjustment at the adjustment point;

(D) An adjusting range taking the adjusting point as a base point;

(G) The update time of the third profile; and

(H) The original form before the first form is adjusted.

13. A profile adjustment system, comprising:

a reading unit that reads, from a storage area, history information indicating adjustment contents at one or more adjustment points corresponding to a color of an adjustment target, for a profile that specifies a correspondence relationship between coordinate values of an input color space and coordinate values of an output color space;

a specific point specification unit that receives, as a specific point, an adjustment point at which readjustment is not performed among the one or more adjustment points included in the read history information; and

a profile adjustment section that performs readjustment of the profile in such a manner that readjustment is not performed at the specific point,

The history information includes one or more items of the following (a) to (H):

(B) A target of adjustment at the adjustment point;

(D) An adjusting range taking the adjusting point as a base point;

(G) The update time of the third profile; and

(H) The original form before the first form is adjusted.